Review recommends major overhaul of Qld Fire Department

A scathing review into Queensland’s fire service has discovered an alarming ‘culture of silence’ within the department caused by a boys’ club mentality focused on closing ranks to protect their own.

There are calls for a major overhaul of the Queensland Fire Department after a review reviewed claims of a boys’ club mentality. File picture

A scathing review into Queensland’s fire service has found there is an alarming “culture of silence” within the department where perpetrators are “inadvertedly shielded” leaving staff too afraid to speak up.

The independent review by Prominence Consulting has recommended a major overhaul of the Queensland Fire Department’s (QFD) inefficient complaints management system (CMS) after finding employees had a “pervasive” lack of trust in the service to handle serious misconduct complaints.

It comes after the Rural Fire Brigade Association earlier this year wrote to Premier Steven Miles requesting an urgent investigation into the fire service after receiving a rush of reports of bullying, racism, sexual assault and discrimination from employees who felt too afraid to take formal action.

Queensland Fire Department Commissioner Steve Smith. Picture: Queensland Fire Department

Despite the QFD touting improvements in the speed of its complaints processing, the phrase “why bother” emerged as a common sentiment among employees, who have lost faith in the system’s ability to deliver justice or address wrongdoing, with a growing number of employees choosing to quit the service rather than go through the complaints process.

Employees from diverse backgrounds, particularly women and Indigenous personnel, also reported facing additional barriers to lodging complaints.

“This breakdown in trust has fostered a culture of silence, where issues are often concealed rather than escalated,” the report stated.

“The fear of retribution, coupled with a perceived lack of independence in investigations, has created a climate where individuals feel unsafe to speak up.”

The review painted a grim picture of alleged misconduct going unpunished and unchecked, with employees claiming that those they complained about were shielded by what was akin to a boys’ club mentality or getting off “scot-free”.

Decision-making authority was also often concentrated in the hands of a small group of senior leaders, leading to a lack in transparency, independence and accountability, according to the report. “Feedback in interviews indicated that there was an ­inclination to address problems internally, often through informal channels,” the report stated.

Minister Nikki Boyd in Queensland parliament. Picture: NewsWire/Glenn Campbell

“While this has demonstrated camaraderie, the practice has inadvertently shielded perpetrators and discouraged formal complaints. Feedback during some interviews noted that many of these individuals may have chosen to exit the organisation rather than report their complaint.”

The QFD has, in principle, accepted 33 of the total 34 recommendations made by the report, the majority directing the service to overhaul its CMS practices, training, data and broader workplace guidelines.

Fire Minister Nikki Boyd said an implementation plan was being developed by QFD to be overseen by Emergency Services Champions of Change Network chair Kristen Hilton.

“Ms Hilton will be able to consider any related matters that arise during implementation to ensure the CMS is fit for purpose,” she said.

QFD Commissioner Steve Smith also released a five-minute video to employees and on social media, asking for their help to stamp out misconduct.

Originally published as Review recommends major overhaul of Qld Fire Department