'If you're not willing to uphold our values… then maybe Fire and Emergency is no longer the place for you to work or volunteer'
"For those who aren't willing to keep their own behaviour in check, my message is simple: ‘Enough is enough.’"
These were the words of Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) chief executive Kerry Gregory in his commitment to stamp out "poor behaviour" that exists within the organisation.
Gregory, in a video statement on FENZ's Facebook page, recognised that there are employees and volunteers in the agency who feel "anxious" about the behaviour they might face at work.
"Some of you don't feel safe at Fire and Emergency and that genuinely upsets me and should upset all of us," the FENZ chief said in the video.
He also acknowledged that there are FENZ employees and volunteers who witnessed or experienced bullying, harassment, racism, and sexism and felt that the issues were not addressed properly.
"This reality was highlighted by two independent reviews of our organisation's culture," Gregory said. "The feedback we received was direct and difficult to hear, but it was accurate and necessary, and I'm committed to doing it better."
According to Gregory, the behaviour prevailed because there is a sense that such actions were "acceptable" or that those responsible were "untouchable."
"But let me be clear, for the safety of all of our people, this needs to end now," he stated.
"Our Code of conduct is a critical pou or foundation for our work to create a safer, positive, and more inclusive environment. The code isn't just a piece of paper. It guides us to make the right decisions and sets clear expectations for how we should treat each other."
He encouraged members of FENZ to read, understand, and reflect on the organisation's code.
"Our organisation's values are not just words on a page. They describe who we are and what we want to be," he said. "If you're not willing to uphold our values, be accountable for your actions, and show respect to those around you, then maybe Fire and Emergency is no longer the place for you to work or volunteer."
Meanwhile, he also stressed that employees should hold each other accountable.
"If you see or hear something that you feel crosses the line, whether it's hurtful, disrespectful, or just doesn't sit well with you, say something," he encouraged. "This isn't about confrontation, it's about having honest conversations and holding each other to account."
In the video's caption, Gregory said the FENZ is already taking steps to make the organisation "safer and more inclusive."
"We are improving policies and processes, but lasting change requires more," he said. "It requires everyone recognising the impact of their actions and speaking up when they witness poor behaviour. It requires us to create an environment where our people feel safe to speak out."
