'Discriminatory attitudes have no place in our organisation'

MISOGYNISTIC COMMENTS OVER FEMALE FIREFIGHTERS MADE BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

- By IVAN MORRIS POXTON

A HUMBERSIDE Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson has said discriminatory comments made against women by members of the public during a recent consultation are concerning.

The fire service’s council tax precept for 2026/27 was set earlier this month by the Humberside Fire Authority, which oversees the service, after a public consultation.

This had over 1,500 responses, with most favouring a precept increase. This source of revenue is to become even more important to the fire service, as Government grant cash falls.

But contained within the report on the precept consultation is detail about discriminatory comments made against women, questioning the competence of female firefighters.

"A small but notable cluster of comments express discriminatory views about women in the fire service," it states.

These included incorrect claims that female firefighters are inherently less capable, a risk to the public, and appointed for diversity reasons rather than competence.