Independent TFS-SES Culture Review
A message from State Fire Commission Chair, Allan Garcia and Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, Jeremy Smith
The State Fire Commission (SFC) has announced the commencement of an independent Culture Review of the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) and the State Emergency Service (SES).
The TFS and SES have a proud history of keeping Tasmanians safe. We also need to ensure we provide a safe workplace culture for our staff and volunteers, where everyone feels respected and included.
The TFS-SES Culture Review will provide the SFC and the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Jeremy Smith with a framework to build workplaces of choice with strong values and a positive and supportive culture.
We acknowledge that the SES has worked hard to develop an inclusive culture, and the learnings from this process will be invaluable to the Review.
Independent consultants, EB&Co, led by the former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, are undertaking the Review. EB&Co is highly experienced in workplace culture reviews, supporting leaders and their employees across a host of sectors, including the military, police, private corporations, academia, government, the arts and sport.
In recent years there has been a number of grievances and complaints about inappropriate workplace behaviours within TFS such as discrimination, bullying or sexual harassment. This behaviour is unacceptable and has no place in the TFS. Volunteers, career firefighters and state service staff should be safe, and feel safe in our workplaces.
The TFS-SES Culture Review will identify the issues we need to address, where our culture works well, and make recommendations to build a framework for change.
EB&Co have listened to the voices and experiences of staff and volunteers, who are key to ensuring the culture of our emergency service organisations is respectful, diverse and inclusive.
Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback with the consultants.
The TFS-SES Culture Review final report will be provided to the State Fire Commission in March 2025. The Report will be publicly released with a Framework for Action to guide us in making the changes required to improve our workplace culture.
Importantly, the work starts now – and we all have a role to play.
Each of us in the TFS and SES has a responsibility to treat others with respect, and everyone should feel respected at work or when volunteering.
We recognise that for some people this process may be confronting. We have a comprehensive confidential support program in place through our Wellbeing Support Program. This service is available 24/7 and we encourage members to reach out for support when required.
The EB&Co website is where you can find more information about the Review.