FIRE chiefs have set up an independent review into a whistleblower claims that the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) "ignored" a complaint over an alleged assault conviction and fraud.
A raft of allegations were revealed in a Freedom of Information request submitted by SDLP assembly member John Dallat, who said he has briefed the Audit Office on his concerns over the NIFRS handling of complaints.
Among the complaints of fraud were allegations of forged signatures on Home Fire Safety Checks and payment forms and attempted email extortion.
Mr Dallat, who was a member of Stormont's now-mothballed Public Accounts Committee (PAC), said only one third of complaints "involving in a wide range of inappropriate behaviour including theft" result in disciplinary action.
NIFRS interim chief fire officer Michael Graham has agreed to set up an independent review into a number of additional claims made to the assembly member by a whistleblower.
These include claims that:
• It took four months to appoint an investigating officer to deal with claims of abuse of leave and where evidence is available but no outcomes have been reported
• Criminal damage to NIFRS property and PPE equipment still has not been investigated more than a year after the incident despite evidence being available
• The NIFRS has ignored a complaint that a serving fire officer had been convicted for assault and actual bodily harm
• In cases of alleged fraud reported more than a year ago no action has been taken
• Other cases involving abuse of rota and abuse of authority are outstanding for a considerable time have not resulted in action
"It is of the utmost concern to the public who rely on emergency services to manage their money and demonstrate that there is no waste or abuse of their resources," Mr Dallat said.
"The organisation has a bad history of poor management in the past and was the subject of various reports by the Public Accounts Committee while I was a member."
And he added: "I am not convinced that the current independent review announced by the interim chief fire officer will create the image which I believe genuine firefighters want for their organisation."
A NIFRS spokeswoman said the allegations have been considered under its `whistleblowing policy'.
"The majority of the issues were already known to NIFRS and actions had been taken in line with the relevant internal policy," she said.
"Following a comprehensive fact finding exercise some new issues were identified and are being considered and addressed appropriately. We have asked our independent internal audit function to complete a review of our processes to give NIFRS assurance and to capture any identified organisational learning.
"It would be inappropriate for NIFRS to comment on individual employee matters and we strongly refute the suggestion that the issues have been ignored. All of the issues have been treated seriously and are being addressed in line with our whistleblowing policies and procedures.
"We encourage and support any individual who is concerned about possible malpractice, fraud, corruption or health and safety violations. We take such issues extremely seriously and they are dealt with according to the appropriate policies and procedures in an honest and confidential way."
