The Fire Brigades Union has called for the end of the Police, fire and crime commissioner model following “chaotic” events in Northamptonshire.
Earlier this month, Northamptonshire’s Police, fire and crime commissioner Stephen Mold appointed his own staffer, Nicci Marzec, to the role of interim Chief Fire Officer. Nicci Marzec had never been a firefighter and had no operational experience of the fire service.
Following public outcry, Nicci Marzec has resigned from all posts. Stephen Mold remains in office, despite pressure from his local Conservative party, as well as mounting public outrage. A petition calling for his resignation has now gathered over 600 signatures. (1)
Last Thursday (27th July), firefighters held a rally outside a meeting of Northamptonshire’s police, fire and crime scrutiny panel, calling for Stephen Mold to resign or be held to the “highest account”. To date, the scrutiny panel has taken no further action.
The FBU has also written to Fire Minister Chris Philp calling for a response to the “chaotic and embarrassing” events. (2)
Ben Selby, Fire Brigades Union Assistant General Secretary said:
“Recent chaos at the highest levels of Northamptonshire fire service has shown the public that the Police, fire, and crime commissioner model is not fit for purpose.
“By taking advantage of his position and parachuting a friend with no experience to the very top of the fire service, Stephen Mold has demonstrated just how open this office is to abuse of power.
“Most fire services are overseen by a fire authority made up of a committee of representatives. In contrast, the PFCC model gives all the power to one person.
“Individual PFCCs can act without democratic accountability, with no real scrutiny. It’s dangerous.
“The fire service is entirely separate to the police force and must not be treated as an afterthought.
“Firefighters need to undertake their lifesaving work safe in the knowledge that senior officials are fit for purpose, knowledgeable, and accountable.
“This fiasco in Northamptonshire would not have been allowed to happen if it weren’t for the PFCC model hollowing out democratic scrutiny.
“Fire Minister Chris Philp must ensure that this embarrassing and sorry saga is never repeated by bringing all fire services back under the power of an elected fire authority.”
Adam Taylor, Fire Brigades Union Executive Council representative for the East Midlands, said:
“What started as a fiasco has become an absolute sham. Events of the past weeks are a stain upon our county and our service.
“Stephen Mold should have resigned weeks ago. Having dodged scrutiny to appoint an interim Chief Fire Officer with zero experience, who has now resigned from all posts, he is now in the ridiculous position of appointing the next head of our fire service.
“The Police Fire and Crime panel has failed to hold Stephen Mold to account, despite several panel members taking serious issue with recent events.
“Firefighters applaud the members of the panel who have protested. However, Conservative panel members are marking their own homework, allowing him to cling on to power.
“Stephen Mold’s own office has cynically failed to train all panel members in how to hold him to account, ensuring that the panel is toothless.
“We all deserve a service run in the interests of saving lives and homes, not in protecting the careers of disgraced politicians.
“Stephen Mold must be held to the highest account in a public, open meeting. The people of Northampton deserve nothing less.”
