An independent mental health review of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) has found a high tolerance of poor behaviour, a mono-culture with elements of sexism and bullying, and a lack of screening for alcohol and drug use.

Clinical psychologist Dr Peter Cotton has spoken publicly about his review into the MFB, despite an attempt by the United Firefighters Union (UFU) to stop the report's release.

The UFU lodged an urgent application before the Fair Work Commission to stop the MFB publicly releasing its report, arguing the union was not consulted on the process of the review, or its release.

The MFB was due to release the report publicly on Tuesday, but cancelled a media briefing due to the eleventh hour legal action.

The review was triggered by the suicide of three firefighters earlier this year and involved interviews with 65 of 2,200 employees and further information from 220 staff.

The review found: A high tolerance of poor behaviour within MFB

A high tolerance of poor behaviour within MFB Mono-culture with few women

Mono-culture with few women Elements of sexism and misogyny

Elements of sexism and misogyny No screening for alcohol and drug use

No screening for alcohol and drug use Inconsistent handling of complaints by management

Dr Cotton said the MFB has a mono-culture with few women or members from diverse backgrounds, making it difficult to assess the level of bullying and harassment.

"The experience of the average firefighter is that there is not much bullying, but for those on the margins their experience is quite difference" he said.

While finding there were significant elements of sexism and misogyny within the brigade, Dr Cotton hit back at union suggestions his review vilified firefighters.

"There seems to be denial within the MFB, but that is not alleging all firefighters are bullies and predators etcetera, that is nonsense," he said.

The review found the MFB does not screen for alcohol or drug use, and has a lack of policies and procedures to address drug and alcohol issues.

Management's handling of complaints were found to be ad hoc and inconsistent with a "lack of will to follow up" and "give them a wide berth" thought pattern.

The review found the mental health of firefighters was comparable with Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria, given mental health issues are more prevalent within the emergency services.

It also recommended the MFB implement a code of behaviour and improving report processes.

Union accuses MFB of 'vilifying' staff

The UFU slammed the report, accused the MFB of "politicising" the review, saying it would now take the matter to the Fair Work Commission.

It said the reviewers had handpicked people who would be sympathetic to its agenda, and it "implied the fire service is full of drunks and bullies".

"In our opinion [the report] will cause further vilification of firefighters and corporate staff resulting in further stress for employees," it said in a union bulletin sent to members.

It said it had been told some of those involved in the review had reservations about "the veracity and accuracy of the comments contained in the report".

"The report claims that all women interviewed by the review team except one reported experiencing significant gender harassment, sexism and misogyny," it said.

"However the report does not state how many women were interviewed."

It said the MFB did not consult the union in accordance with its legal obligations and the UFU was not invited to make a submission.

"[The report] is a forerunner to the attempt to further lower the standing of professional firefighters in the community's eyes," it said.

'Mental health has to be above politics and industrial agendas'

Dr Cotton hit out at the UFU's legal action to thwart the planned public release of the report.

"The union has also had a copy of the review since September," he said.

"There has been a deliberate attempt by [UFU secretary Peter] Marshall to distort what the review is about."

Dr Cotton said the review was entirely independent and management was not involved in "massaging" as the union suggested.

He now wants the MFB to request WorkSafe and Beyond Blue to have an oversight role to ensure the integrity of the recommendations.