The Independent Culture Review of the London Fire Brigade (LFB) found evidence that the fire service is institutionally misogynist, and that there are dangerous levels of ingrained prejudice against women [1].
The review by Nazir Afzal OBE, published in November 2022, found that bullying, prejudice and abuse complaints were predominantly made by women.
Since March 2022, there has been a fall in the number of women starting as trainee firefighters. Some 28.5 per cent of the March 2023 intake were women, down from 37.5 per cent in June 2022 [2].
In 2019, LFB put in place its Privacy for All programme to deliver separate facilities for all firefighters in its fire stations, but progress with this has been slow [3].
In its 2021-22 inspection, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) noted that only one fire station had been converted under the programme.
What action is LFB taking to improve representation, career progression and facilities for women in the fire service?
The London Assembly Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee will meet tomorrow to discuss this. The guests are:
- Baroness Twycross, Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience
- Jonathan Smith, Deputy Commissioner, LFB
- Keeley Foster, Assistant Commissioner and Head of Learning and Professional Development, LFB
- Helen Coleman, Director of Communications and Engagement, LFB
- Maria Buck, Station Officer, Staff Officer to Programme Director for Culture Change, LFB
- Julie King, Chair, Women in the Fire Service UK, and Assistant Director for People Services, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service
- Jon Lambe, Regional Chair, London, Fire Brigades Union
- Lorraine Smith, Joint Secretary, GMB Control
The meeting will take place on Tuesday 14 November 2023 from 10am, in The Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- LFB, Independent Culture Review a comprehensive examination of culture at London Fire Brigade
- LFB 2023-24 Q4 performance report
- LFB, Privacy for All Works – London Fire Brigade Estate
- Read the agenda papers.
- Anne Clarke AM, Chair of the Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Emma Bowden in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 303897. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.