Female firefighters in Kent made to strip to underwear in front of male colleagues, union says

FBU says ‘unnecessary, degrading practice’ at Kent fire and rescue service must end

Female firefighters are being forced to strip down to their underwear in full view of their male colleagues and the wider public, in an “unnecessary, degrading practice” being enforced by an English brigade, their representatives have said.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU), frustrated at what it sees as “chronic management inaction”, has written to the official inspector to demand an end to the practice at Kent fire and rescue service.

A few months ago a scathing report from His Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary and fire and rescue services (HMICFRS) detailed “deeply troubling” behaviour throughout the emergency service in England.

“Fire stations are workplaces – and it is unacceptable that firefighters are being put in the position of stripping down to their underwear in full view of colleagues, or even the public,” said the FBU general secretary, Matt Wrack.

The union said firefighters were being made to strip down at stations “prior to donning fire kit when attending operational incidents”.

It said it contacted the Kent brigade’s chief fire officer, Ann Millington, in May after concerns were raised via the union’s national women’s committee. The union added: “She also appeared to defend the practice, stating that stripping down to underwear could prevent overheating.”

In the face of Millington’s denial, the FBU said its officials had personally witnessed it happening. In his letter to HMICFRS, Wrack wrote: “To be clear, this is not common practice elsewhere; the accepted practice is that fire kit is donned over cotton workwear.”

The complaint has followed the HMICFRS report released in March that found every fire brigade in England was plagued with bullying, harassment and discrimination complaints.

Writing to the inspectorate, Wrack said the response from Millington, a lead figure in the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), highlighted the “very cultural problems we are trying to eradicate” from the emergency service.

In particular, he noted Millington’s claim in response to the union’s letter that no official complaint had been made about the issue. “It is naive at best for the chief fire officer to argue that ... As HMICFRS has noted, many people are reluctant to report situations and behaviours for fear of a hostile reaction, a refusal to act or attempts to dismiss their concerns.”

He said the union also raised the matter in June with the NFCC chair, Mark Hardingham, and the fire minister, Chris Philp, but that neither directly addressed the issue in their responses. “This episode demonstrates chronic management inaction. The problems in the fire service go right to the top,” Wrack said.

Millington said: “Crews told us that wearing trousers under firefighting leggings makes them feel hotter, and practically all of them, men and women, wanted the option not to wear trousers under PPE. Especially at this time during warmer weather, many firefighters raised the discomfort of trousers becoming sweaty under leggings and said it can become very uncomfortable.

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“Individuals who choose not to wear trousers under PPE are expected to be aware of their own privacy/dignity and that of their colleagues while undressing behind open fire engine doors.

“I would like to add that we have previously offered to discuss this matter with the FBU, and they have not responded.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We want to see fire and rescue services where professional standards are upheld and everyone is treated with respect. We hope the local Fire Brigades Union representatives can work collectively with Kent fire and rescue to resolve any concerns.”

The NFCC has been approached for comment.