The boss of Fire and Rescue NSW has put firefighters on notice that he is "shocked and appalled" by cases of bullying, harassment, misuse of power and homophobic and sexist attitudes within the organisation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In a direct email to firefighters, Commissioner Greg Mullins said he hoped the "very serious issues that need to be aired and spoken about" were isolated incidents and not the "tip of the iceberg".
"In at least one case certain alleged behaviours have gone on for some time, but the victim did not complain as they feared reprisal and retaliation," he said in the letter dated August 7, 2014 obtained by the Mercury.
"If we truly lived our core FRNSW values, such a concern would never arise."
Mr Mullins recently told the Mercury that while some senior officers had been accused of bullying and harassment, none of the complaints had been sustained.
He said Fire and Rescue NSW had taken strong action and worked extremely hard to improve workplace culture and stamp out bullying and harassment since a 2010 KPMG investigation highlighted serious problems within the organisation.
Yet after a "handful of issues" arose at Fire and Rescue NSW workplaces, he put the entire workforce on notice by a direct email and posting an intranet article warning there would be consequences for anyone behaving inappropriately.
He said bad behaviour in organisations could flourish when it was hidden from view, with perpetrators going to great lengths to cover their tracks.
"Unfortunately in recent times, I have become aware that whilst we treat the people we serve with the greatest of respect, it is not always the case internally."
He listed examples including comments by officers suggesting "the good old days" of hurtful and damaging initiations were actually OK and fun.
Also cited were workplace behaviours that were "highly disrespectful and discriminatory towards women, gay and lesbian firefighters" or anyone perceived as not being tough enough.
The commissioner said there were cases of people being attacked over their religion, sexuality, personal and lifestyle choices.
He was particularly angered by suggestions the organisation was dropping entry level standards so "more women can get in".
"As well as being untrue, this is extremely unfair, hurtful and insulting to every single woman in the organisation, and makes them feel unwelcome. Unfortunately this might be the intention of some of those who have raised the issue."
The organisation came under scrutiny in 2009-10 when the independent KPMG report described the humiliation of new recruits in "bizarre" initiation rituals.
The investigation found less than 9 per cent of those who suffered from such abuse were satisfied by the action taken by the organisation.
The report made 14 recommendations to reform the culture of the organisation.
Mr Mullins said he was shocked and appalled that anybody who "lived through what we experienced from 2009 could even think, let alone openly suggest, that workplace behaviours which demean and hurt people could in any way be acceptable".
In the letter to firefighters he said there still appeared to be a "small number" who wanted FRNSW to regress to become a 1950s "boys club", where they could make their own rules and determine who could and couldn't belong.
"I will be blunt. Anybody who thinks they can treat others badly at work are the ones who don't belong here. They do not deserve to work for FRNSW."
Mr Mullins again spoke publicly about the issues after the Mercury revealed more than 10 firefighters from across NSW, including the Illawarra, had complained to ICAC about the handling of their complaints.
He said Fire and Rescue NSW had implemented all of the recommendations of the KPMG report.
"We have taken strong action and worked extremely hard to improve our workplace culture and stamp out this kind of behaviour," he said.
Before that, FRNSW was poorly resourced in the professional standards and conduct area, with funding for only one or two officers, the commissioner said.
"The new Workplace Standards Branch was set up as well as a confidential external reporting hotline for all staff. The branch includes experienced investigators and is above reproach."
The entire workforce had been trained to deal with bullying and harassment at its source.
Mr Mullins said he wrote the article and direct email recently after a "handful of issues arose at FRNSW workplaces" because he wanted to spell out the behaviours that would not be tolerated.
"There have been some complaints against senior officers since the KPMG report in 2010, a number of which related to allegations of bullying and harassment - none of these complaints were sustained," he said.
"These matters have all been managed through appropriate mediation and conflict resolution processes."