The London Assembly has expressed concerns that the London Fire Brigade (LFB) “lacks autonomy and has not been responsive enough in addressing complaints.”
A critical review conducted in 2022 determined that the brigade exhibited entrenched misogyny and racism, leading to its placement under special measures until March 2024.
According to the Assembly’s fire committee, the Professional Standards Unit (PSU) at LFB has struggled to manage complaints promptly and does not possess adequate independence.
Nevertheless, the committee acknowledged the brigade, along with Commissioner Andy Roe, for their broader initiatives aimed at enhancing organizational culture.
These findings align with a report from the fire inspectorate in November, which underscored the need for LFB to improve its efforts in recruiting a diverse workforce and in fostering trust among staff regarding the mechanisms in place for addressing inappropriate behavior.
The LFB informed the committee that the costs associated with staff suspensions in the PSU’s inaugural year, which was created to manage misconduct complaints, approached £900,000, excluding investigation expenses.
Last year, Mr. Roe highlighted that funding limitations could impede efforts to address issues within the brigade.
The report pinpointed areas where the enforcement of standards against misconduct and the creation of a representative workforce could benefit from increased ambition and proactive measures.
Among the committee’s…
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Publish date : 2025-04-09 07:38:00
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