Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it will "act as necessary" on the recommendations of a report that found evidence of shocking bullying, harassment and discrimination in every fire and rescue service in England.
A new report from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found staff complaints of homophobic, sexist and racist behaviour in about a quarter of the 44 services - often excused as banter.
The report does not mention Oxfordshire specifically, however, a council spoksperson said "as is regular practice, we will be carefully looking at all its recommendations and acting on them as necessary."
HMICFRS’ recent routine inspection of Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service stated in its report: "The service continues to have a very positive working culture. Staff feel valued and listened to. The behaviours it expects and the values it promotes are understood and displayed by nearly all staff."
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"Despite these positive findings, we will never be complacent," said a spokesperson.
"We keep striving for a culture where, not just the majority, but everyone in our organisation feels the sense of purpose, belonging and freedom to be their best selves at work – both now and in the future."
Cases cited in the report include male firefighters telling a colleague they would rape her and a senior officer using a racial slur.
The Government called the findings "deeply concerning".
The Fire Brigades Union said the problems go “right to the top”.
Responding to the report, FBU Executive Council Member Steve Wright said: "There has been a failure to address discrimination and harassment in the fire service for many years and that it goes right to the top of these organisations.
"It details how racism, homophobia and misogyny are routinely ignored, or even investigated, by people at the very top, and that firefighters are scared to speak out in some cases.
"Complainants all too often find themselves under investigation or subject to disciplinary proceedings.
"I have personally represented far too many members facing bullying and harassment in the Fire and Rescue Service over the past 22 years.
"Firefighters have the right to go to work without fear of being mistreated because of their gender, ethnicity, sexuality or disability or bullied or abused while doing their job.
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"Firefighter and FBU values should be - saving lives, keeping people safe, teamwork, looking after each other, Unity not division."
He added: "The fire brigades union is the only democratic and representative body for firefighters and control room firefighters,and we are committed to playing a leading role in transforming the culture of the Fire and Rescue Service putting women, LGBT and Black and ethnic minority firefighters in the driving seat of our campaign."
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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris
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