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Women in the fire service(honest opinion)
Hola,
Just wanted to get some honest feed back about how men feel about having women serve as FF. Please be very honest! The reason for this is:
1. I have witnessed society feels women can't do this job- we are to fragile , etc.
2. People think women that work around a bunch of men must be easy or having relations with at least one of the them
3. Sexual harrassment issues arise more often
4. Some men have trouble taking orders from a woman (or vice versa)
These are just a few of the things I have seen or heard about.. Please share y you feel this way
Just wanted to get some honest feed back about how men feel about having women serve as FF. Please be very honest! The reason for this is:
1. I have witnessed society feels women can't do this job- we are to fragile , etc.
2. People think women that work around a bunch of men must be easy or having relations with at least one of the them
3. Sexual harrassment issues arise more often
4. Some men have trouble taking orders from a woman (or vice versa)
These are just a few of the things I have seen or heard about.. Please share y you feel this way
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by RICKY BENSON on
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As long as the department holds the same standards as men. Don't hire them to meet a quota.
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Permalink Reply by doug louden on
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i like to have women working with me in the firefighting field. because sometimes they make a bad scene not so bad .and some of them arnt afriad to get in there ripand tear like a dude , but then there are some that do it just to say im a ff. and thats when i get upset .i dont have a problem with taking orders from any one aslong as they are willing to what they want me to do to .and the person in charge at the time.also with the issue of sexual harrassment if you dont doo or say anything inappropiate you should have no problems right.so as far as woman in fire sevice i think if there are not affaird to get dirty or hurt or GOD forbide die than im all for it.
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Permalink Reply by DeeDee on
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i agree...as a female firefighter.... if u can't do the job,leave it to those who can....i proved a lot of people wrong when i join the FD...im treated like an equal, cuz' i worked hard for it
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Permalink Reply by sandra on
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well im a women firefighter so is my sis and our fire chief is a women my opinion is that we can fire fight just as good as any man so my opinion is that what men can do weman can do
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Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
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The resounding overture coming from many of the female firefighters who commented here says that they wanted to prove somebody wrong.
Why is there such an effort on our parts to devote energy and attention to proving others wrong instead of proving to ourselves all that we are capable of doing?
Instead of proving others wrong, why don't we focus on proving that we can do the job?
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Permalink Reply by mike wright on
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The women in this forum CAN do the job. But they have to prove to the men in here that they belong here. If they have made it on a department then more than likely they can and will keep up thier end of the bargain. There are some men out there that cant do the job so why do we just feel that women are the only ones that cant do it? If a man cant do it then it is over looked, but if a woman cant do it she is inferior. To all the women out there keep up the good work.
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Permalink Reply by Tim on
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First off, I think that we shouldn't generalize ourselves like that. Meaning it is the individual not so much the gender. A quick example: I have coached football for our local middle school. I'll try to make a long story (and a good one if we had the time) short by saying I had a girl on the team that literally hit harder than any boy on the team. Even our stud middle linebacker. She ended up playing on our line. My athletic director told me at the beginning of the year "Girls can't play football!". Rhonda ended up being our second leading tackler for the year. Bottom line is this; Can all girls play football at that level? Of course not. Some girls are happier being the cheer leader. You know what? Not all boys can play at that level either. As a matter of fact there are some boys that are happier being cheerleaders too. I just think we limit ourselves by discriminating because of gender or any other reason for that matter.
Now to try to address your different points;
1) Some people can't do the job and usually find out quickly. Guys as well as girls. I have known some women that I would have no problem going into a burning building with. I have known some men that I would go in with if ordered to but I wouldn't like it. Next question,
2) I think that women and men sometimes end up together whether they are in the fire department or not. Our species wouldn't survive if they didn't (lol). Sorry. Just being sarcastic. Anyone that would think that a woman would have to be "doing" all the guys in the station house has some serious hang ups and has bigger problems than sex between 2 fire fighters.
3) Now I think this is a valid concern. Again though, it is because there are some people out there with some serious hang-ups. Therefore allot of sensitivity has been created in that area. 15 years ago swatting a fellow firefighter on the butt was seen as a congratulatory act. That swat had to be earned. Now one would end up in front of a review board.
4) Again, a higher up being a woman is insignificant compared to how she is as a firefighter and a leader. If she knows what she's doing, I'll listen and take orders without any question, as I would a man. If they don't know what they're talking about then the old self preservation thing kicks in. Again, being a man or a woman makes no difference here.
I'll just close by saying we are too hung up on the gender issue, as a race. Focus on the individual instead. Great post. Stay safe out there.
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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on
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I'll just close by saying we are too hung up on the gender issue, as a race. Focus on the individual instead
Wow, this has been one of the better lines I have read. Folks, not sure if you realize it, but it is 2008, not 1908. There are equal rights for all. If a woman can put up with all the bs in the firehouse, can keep up with the training, and keep up with the physical demands of being a firefighter, WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE? We live in a society that allows women into combat which is demanding and physical, and we are still whining about women being firefighters. If you have a woman join for no other reason than a social network for filling her firday nights, remove them and try to actively recruit women who are willing to make a differance.
Great comments and thoughts Tim
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If you do your job and do it well you will not have any problems
With this mentality and some training I would work alongside you anytime!!!! Keep up the great work
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But they have to prove to the men in here that they belong here
I agree with this line, because there is still a silent majority (who won't post because they know they will get it both barrels) who think women shoudn't be in the fire service. The men make these little "tests" to see what the capabilities are. Maybe we should start a forum about bumper leaners at fire scenes (MEN) or when theres work to be done, everyone has to go? It is a problem in the volunteer fire service that stretches way out beyond the male female aspect.
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Permalink Reply by Justin Hill on
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I think/feel that a women in the service is fine. If they pull there weight on the fire ground, they have the right to be there. As to your examples:
1)They can do the job, and in some incidents a women may be able to handle it better (Ex. coping with loved ones of a victim like a mother does to kids.).
2)People that think women in the service are easy are just ignorant. Even if they have relations with someone in the house, it's not anyone's position to tell her what she can and can't do.
3)Sexual Harrasment Issues have to deal with self-control. Know your co-workers limits and respect them. Also if stuff gets out of hand, the station officer should step to the plate and do their job.
4)Men that have trouble taking orders, have personal problems/issues. Thats how people can/will get hurt. I know each department has one of these. But again the station officer should stop issues that arise like this. Just roll it off your shoulders.
I believe that a real firefighter can be man/woman, black/white, career/volunteer, young/old. And personally that women are stronger in some points than men and vice-versa. Everybody thinks that the job is all about muscles, when that is far from it. It's about tactics and strategies. So this issue to me is dead and shouldn't get the recognition that it does.
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