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A shocking report that uncovered decades of racism in an England fire department included harassment against a Black firefighter who later died by suicide, per the International Fire & Safety Journal.
An independent review by West Midlands Employers determined that the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service was institutionally racist from 1991 to 2018 as Black firefighters faced bullying, hostility, and harassment from their colleagues.
Among those Black firefighters was Avanos Biney, who served in force from 1998 to 2001 and died by suicide at 49 in 2017.
According to the report, Biney was frequently subjected to racist remarks, isolation, and intimidation by his colleagues. The N-word was reportedly written on Biney's clothing and swastikas were placed in his belongings.
The report states that Biney's food was tampered with, itching powder was put in his kit and bed, and glass was placed in his shoes.
Biney was also reportedly subjected to hazardous situations by his colleagues, including a time when other firefighters swayed and spun a ladder he was on that wasn't fully secured.
No action was taken against the employees involved. Biney filed a tribunal application for racial discrimination and victimization in 2002 that was later dismissed. The firefighter resigned from the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and went on to work for a department in Jersey.
In the wake of the report, Chief Fire Officer Mark Preece issued a formal apology, acknowledging its findings.
“I want to apologize to our firefighters and staff past and present that have been subjected to the horrendous acts of discrimination, or witnessed, whistle-blown and tried to support victims as best they could with little or no support,” Preece said. “I fully accept the finding that the Service was institutionally racist between 1991 to 2018, and that coupled with a lack of action from those leading the GFRS during this time made life unbearable for our Black and ethnic minority firefighters. … I am not saying that racism, misogyny and bullying have been eradicated. There is still work to be done.”
Preece also addressed Biney and other Black firefighters who faced discrimination.
“I want to make it clear that they were not troublemakers, they were trail blazers. The bravery of these individuals and family members that have spoken up in the past and again now are breaking down barriers as well as challenging ignorant, long-held views and stereotypes. Their dedication to making a change for good must be recognized and the legacy of everyone reliving the trauma must be lasting and meaningful," Preece said.
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