Probe told of fireys’ culture of sex, booze

FEMALE firefighters allege they were forced to strip naked and pose in group photographs with dozens of male recruits as part of a hazing ritual.

As part of a wide-ranging probe, former senior employees in the MFB and CFA have told investigators from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission of allegations of bullying and harassment.

Investigators were told of male firefighters going out and bringing back women to stations, porn being on open display in the kitchens and male recruits calling female colleagues derogatory terms.

The review is set to lift the lid on a culture of sexism and drunkenness in the state’s fire services. There have been claims sex regularly took place in employees’ offices, while the review has received at least one allegation of sexual assault against senior management.

News Corp has learned that investigators have been told of: RECRUITMENT panels being biased against hiring women, and suggestions that panels needed gender equality training were rubbished by senior members; A STRIPPING ritual at the end of recruitment courses, whereby a few young women would have to climb to the top of a building — along with dozens of their male recruits — and take their clothes off for a photo; SEX taking place in offices and the carpark; and EMPLOYEES becoming intoxicated at stations and then driving home.

The commission was called in by former emergency services minister Jane Garrett after a fire services review found a culture of bullying and lack of gender diversity in the MFB and CFA.