Culture change may take years, says Fenz boss

WELLINGTON: The head of Fire and Emergency New Zealand is vowing to stamp out bullying in the organisation, but says it could take more than the expected three years to change the culture.

Thirtyseven cases have been reported since last July but retired judge Coral Shaw, who led the Positive Culture Workplace Review, found complaints were often downplayed or overlooked.

Fire and Emergency chief executive Rhys Jones told RNZ yesterday firefighters could not use the tough environment they work in as an excuse for bullying.

He said the socalled ‘‘hero culture’’ in Fenz would be reformed, but it would take time.

The review heard of cases where bullying behaviour had been overlooked, downplayed or excused because the perpetrator was perceived to be a ‘‘hero firefighter’’, an important manager, a longservice volunteer with deep connections in the local community, or a union member.

‘‘It is a tough physical and mental environment and too many times people stray over that line to inappropriate behaviour,’’ he said.

‘‘They start selfregulating who’s good enough to be in this particular team and that’s wrong.

‘‘There are ways of dealing with people who are not performing well, a board of action brings them up to speed . . . or, if they can’t meet the standards, there are proper processes to remove them, not harassment and bullying. That has been the problem.’’

Fenz accepted all 33 recommendations, including the adoption of a code of behaviour.

It will monitor and evaluate the implementation over the next three years.

Mr Jones acknowledged racism and sexist behaviour had been part of the culture of the organisation and it was being addressed through creating a safe environment for people to bring complaints and educating staff on what was expected.

‘‘I’d like to reassure the public that the professionalism of us engaging with the public in doing our job is not in question; it’s our own behaviour and attitudes, and that’s what we are determined to change,’’ he said.

He admitted there had been a lack of respect for women and Maori, and the organisation was responding to that.

‘‘We are starting to change the culture . . . We know what we have to do over the next three years, but it will take longer.’’

United Fire Brigades’ Association of New Zealand chief executive Bill Butzbach said past behaviour would no longer be tolerated in the sector.

‘‘It’s fair to say the fire and emergency sector internationally is a raw environment and certainly people are pretty tough and I think there are times where their behaviour is unacceptable . . . but here is the opportunity put a line in the sand and say we have one set of behaviours and values now and this is how we need to behave,’’ he said. — RNZ