IN a significant development that echoes through the corridors of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS), Watch Manager Phil Irving of Haverfordwest Fire Station has been officially dismissed.
This decision, confirmed independently by six serving fire officers, follows a slew of bullying allegations that surfaced in 2021, fundamentally shaking the community’s trust in its firefighters.
The Herald’s investigation in 2021 uncovered a culture of fear and bullying at then Haverfordwest Fire Station, with numerous staff voicing their distress and frustration under the shadow of Irving’s intimidating presence.
The Herald confirmed that incidents of bullying led to a large number of requests for transfers away from Irving. Staff welfare concerns were not addressed, even when members of staff’s mental health and wellbeing were seriously affected.
Following these revelations, a comprehensive cultural review was launched, aiming to diagnose and remedy the toxic behaviours eroding the core values of the fire service.
A subsequent report, completed by Opinion Research Services in August 2023 paints a stark picture of the internal issues plaguing MAWWFRS. Nearly a third of the service’s employees are considering departure within the next five years, with reasons ranging from dissatisfaction with the work-life balance to disillusionment with the service’s internal culture. The report specifically pinpoints bullying as a persistent issue, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change.
The audit reveals that despite some improvements in job satisfaction since 2014, significant challenges remain, notably in management practices and the treatment of staff. The report criticizes a lack of transparent and supportive leadership and identifies a need for fostering a more inclusive and respectful working environment.
The Herald reached out to the service seeking confirmation of Irving’s dismissal and an explanation of the circumstances surrounding it. Our inquiry specifically asked whether the dismissal was connected to the allegations of bullying reported in 2021.
The response from MAWWFRS was guarded, citing confidentiality and data protection obligations, “Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is unable to comment on the points raised in your email. Additionally, as you will appreciate, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service owes duties of confidentiality under data protection legislation to all its personnel which means that it would not be appropriate to respond to the specific questions you have asked either.”
Highly respected retired firefighter Gerwyn Howells, who served from 1974 until 2019 and continued as a member of the The Colour Party (Ceremonial detachment) until 2023, shared his experiences.
My initial complaints about Irving back in 2021 were not handled with the professionalism I expected. Senior managers need to be held accountable for how they protected him. Despite being a whistleblower, the complainant somehow discovered I had reported the matter, likely because the investigators were close to Irving. It’s astonishing that he was found not culpable at the time and allowed to continue his duties unchanged. He was nicknamed ‘Teflon’ because allegations never seemed to stick to him. Several firefighters even requested transfers away from the Haverfordwest station to avoid working under him.”
The news of the termination of Irving’s contact as a fire fighter has been met with a mixed response from the community and within the fire service itself. Many see it as a long-overdue step towards rectifying the wrongs of the past and rebuilding trust. However, others remain sceptical about the depth and permanence of change, reflecting a pervasive wariness of the service’s commitment to genuine reform.
The cultural audit culminates in a set of recommendations aimed at overhauling the service’s internal culture. These include the implementation of more robust mechanisms for reporting and addressing bullying, enhanced training programs focused on diversity and inclusion, and a strategic overhaul of leadership practices to ensure transparency and accountability.
The dismissal of Watch Manager Phil Irving should not be viewed as the closure of an unpleasant chapter, but as an impetus for profound and enduring change within the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. It is an opportunity to rebuild not just a workplace, but a vital public service on the principles of respect, integrity, and trust.
