Dorset fire service staff sacked for a catalogue of reasons

Information obtained by our sister paper the Echo, via a Freedom of Information request, shows in the past five years nine members of staff in Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) have been sacked. 

Thirteen operational staff, as well as three corporate staff, have been suspended for inappropriate behaviour since April 2017, with the nine going on to be sacked.

Reasons for dismissal include breaches of substance misuse procedure, criminal proceedings and/or convictions and failure to comply with reasonable work instructions.

Firefighters have been sacked for numerous reasons (Image: Daily Echo)

Other people have been sacked for gross insubordination, behaviour of an offensive nature, sexual misconduct as well as conduct that was deemed likely to bring DWFRS into disrepute. 

The Echo asked for the names of the individuals as it was deemed “unfair” by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and contrary to the first data protection principle.

Assistant chief officer Jenny Long, director of people services at Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Our 1,400 members of staff are a reflection of our local communities.  

“The vast majority of our workforce are good people, working hard to provide a great service to the public in line with the standards and behavioural expectations set out in our Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics.  

Fire engine in Bournemouth (Image: Daily Echo)

“Where there is evidence to suggest that individuals do not comply with the expected behaviours, the service has robust procedures in place to investigate and take appropriate action.  

“These figures are a typical reflection of any organisation, and we can assure our communities that we will deal with all matters of inappropriate behaviour in a robust way, in line with our disciplinary procedures.”

National Fire Chiefs Council’s chairman Mark Hardingham said: “I am appalled by the recent reports into behaviours and culture in some fire and rescue services. These shocking behaviours have no place in a modern fire and rescue service.  

“They need to stop - and stop now.   

“Everyone has the right to go to work feeling safe, supported and respected in an organisation that values diversity, aspiration and fair challenge.” 

As reported, an investigation was launched in February after claims firefighters photographed women who died in car crashes and shared them on WhatsApp.