DRAFT Bullying Statement 1: What the Fire Chiefs Want Fire Departments to Know About Bullying 

• Bullying happens in fire departments. It is likely not being reported. It usually happens when there is no obvious oversight. It may appear as horseplay or during training. It typically happens in the ancillary tasks at the station, but it could happen anywhere. 

• Bullying is often seen as part of the culture, and new expectations must be set. Individuals wanting to fit in and show acceptance of the culture may feel uncomfortable rejecting or reporting it. It may be important to facilitate an anonymous reporting system so that you can be aware of the extent to which it is occurring

• Bullying has a negative impact not only within fire departments but also on relationships with stakeholders and mutual aid partners, among others. Bullying can impact morale and productivity, cost time, money, and good staff. As individuals experience bullying, it may impact their physical and mental health, and it may also become normalized for them. Over time, the individuals experiencing it may become perpetrators.

• Bullying may look different in different types of fire departments. Bullying in career departments, where there is a living context at the station, could be different compared to volunteer departments, where there may be more of a community-related impact.

• Bullying has remedies and resources. Any available resources to address bullying should be assembled and provided to all members of the fire department without barriers to access. There may be a lack of education and resources on this issue, which may need to be remedied. Enforcing anti-harassment policies and incorporating anti-bullying more explicitly in the Code of Conduct can help. Unions are very important in addressing this issue.

• Bullying of any sort should not be tolerated. There should be clear zero-tolerance policies put in place, communicating that bullying is not part of the tradition or the workplace in fire departments. It should not be assumed as part of joining the fire service. People should feel safe, welcomed, and included from the beginning.

• Bullying should be reported. Many believe that bullying in the form of teasing, horseplay or hazing is part of fire service initiation. It is not reported because individuals want to fit in and believe that speaking out will put them at odds with the current culture. Fire departments must set a new standard and request that any such instances be reported. Fire departments need to make sure the reporting structure is supportive of the victim of bullying so that people feel safe coming forward. Human resource departments should be included in all complaints, even if the department chooses to keep complaints anonymous. 

• Bullying is unacceptable behaviour. Fire Chiefs will treat bullying as unacceptable behaviour. All members of the fire service need to contribute to change what is a longstanding and unfortunate practice.