Female firefighters describe culture of sexism and bullying within the service ... trends now
Female firefighters say they have been 'objected, belittled and almost assaulted' when describing a culture of sexism and bullying in the service.
More than a dozen current and former workers at Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AFRS) told the BBC they had experienced sexist comments, bullying and a 'glass ceiling' for all women in the operation.
Firefighters also said there was a 'climate of fear' around reporting their issues, leading the AFRS to say they are taking 'decisive action' to change its culture.
The claims come after a fellow AFRS crew member won a sex discrimination case last month, after her managers made repeated derogatory comments to her.
Sasha Acheson, who qualified as a firefighter in January 2020, was subject to a 'longstanding campaign' of offensive comments by bosses which got so bad she eventually quit, an employment tribunal heard.
More than four weeks after her landmark victory, Ms Acheson revealed that she is still waiting to receive her compensation payout.
Sasha Acheson, who qualified as a firefighter in January 2020, was subject to a 'longstanding campaign' of offensive comments by bosses which got so bad she eventually quit, an employment tribunal heard
Ms Acheson was 'belittled' and targeted by Crew Manager Dean Davies and Watch Manager Simon Bailey, it was found.
Comments included CM Davies asking if a new female recruit was 'fit' and male bosses suggesting a woman's place was 'in the kitchen'.
According to Ms Acheson, when she told a manager about his inappropriate language towards women, he apparently 'flipped' and started walking towards her and appeared like he was 'genuinely going to headbutt her'.
The former England Rugby player, who worked for AFRS from June 2017 until January 2021, said she was 'beyond broken' by her experience and left ARFS because her mental health was 'in tatters'.
The tribunal heard that Avon Fire and Rescue admitted to 'persistent sexual derogatory and offensive comments' towards or about women - which created an 'openly and over sexist and discriminatory workplace environment'.
It also admitted male colleagues 'openly and frequently made openly sexist comments with managers joining in and even starting the banter'.
Alex Sienesi, an AFRS firefighter from 2017 until 2022, said she experienced a similar culture of sexism.
She told the BBC: 'I was made to feel quite self-conscious. Comments were made about my bottom, my appearance, about what I was wearing. Pornographic material was shown in front of me.
'I was told I wasn't good enough because I was female… One of the comments I did receive was, 'You are going to have to work twice as hard as any male to be considered their equal.
'I was told that the only reason I was invited on training was because they
