Fresh sexism, harassment storm engulfs the CFA

A firey who claims an ex-colleague exposed himself in a Zoom meeting and was sent pornographic material has sparked calls to reopen a review into sexism in the fire services.

Julie McEwan is lifting the lid on alleged harrassment and sexism at the CFA. Picture: Tony Gough

Vile pornographic material targeting CFA personnel and even a child has been circulated among firefighters as a new sexism storm engulfs the fire services.

A whistleblower firefighter has gone public to reveal barriers still faced by women in brigades, including that she was told to “take care of things at home” before focusing on volunteering.

The allegations and disturbing material – which includes genitalia drawn on photos of CFA members and in one case a child – has triggered calls to reopen a review of bullying and sexism in the fire services that was shelved in 2018.

Julie McEwan, who joined the CFA in 2018 at Narre Warren North, said she had lodged complaints about bad behaviour almost two years ago but some allegations were still not resolved — including that water was withheld at a car fire to make her look bad.

Julie McEwan. Picture: Tony Gough

She says she has seen a former colleague expose himself during a Zoom meeting, was stunned by photos of CFA staff defaced to depict oral sex, and sent a video of two dogs having sex.

In response, a CFA spokeswoman told the Herald Sun that members of the brigade had been stood down and that it was taking all matters seriously as it sought to ensure a “welcoming, inclusive and safe place to volunteer and work”.

Ms McEwan’s complaints that were upheld saw her receive an apology for “derogatory and disrespectful” behaviour that was regarded as “disgraceful or improper conduct”.

“I was called into a meeting with three men and told to take care of my home domestic duties first before worrying about CFA. To my knowledge, no male member has had this same talking to,” Ms McEwan said.

“It was a complete shock for such a highly regarded organisation as the CFA, I thought it would be much more up to date and not a boy’s club.

“It’s not like I have to be chained to a kitchen sink, and I have just as much right to run in to a burning building as any man.”

Julie McEwan at the Narre Warren North brigade.

Ms McEwan said witnesses to her matters had later been stood down for unrelated complaints, leaving her feeling exposed and unsafe, and she has called for a royal commission.

During the complaints process the CFA’s top brass thanked her for showing “courage in speaking out” and a letter from acting emergency services minister Martin Foley acknowledged that the process had taken too long and changes were being made to CFA complaint mechanisms.

A spokeswoman for the CFA on Wednesday said the organisation “does not tolerate sexual harassment, the distribution of offensive material or other inappropriate and offensive conduct by its members”.
“Multiple brigade members have been stood down or have resigned since CFA began investigating the first complaints in 2019,” she said.
The CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan will also meet with Ms McEwan, who has received an apology for some matters already resolved.

Opposition emergency services spokesman Tim Smith said Ms McEwan was a “brave firefighter” whose revelations should force the Andrews government to release a Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission report into bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination in the state’s fire services.

“This disgraceful behaviour can’t be allowed to continue, women must have a safe workplace in our fire services.”

Opposition emergency services spokesman Tim Smith. Picture: David Crosling

That VEOHRC report was commissioned in 2016 by the Andrews Government after a review of fire services found “repeated evidence of bullying, harassment and discrimination”.

The United Firefighters Union successfully fought in court to block its release by arguing only the MFB or CFA had the power to order such a review.

At the time, the Herald Sun revealed that investigators had been told about pornography was on display in station kitchens, females having to strip during hazing rituals, and harassment complaints being mishandled.

The government did not ask the fire services to recommence its review, leading to accusations it had caved in to the UFU and its militant state secretary Peter Marshall.

Acting Police and Emergency Services Minister Danny Pearson said on Wednesday “any kind of harassment is unacceptable and has no place in our emergency services – or anywhere”.

“We’re working to stamp out this kind of abhorrent behaviour and will continue to work with our fire services to ensure genuine and positive cultural change,” he said.

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