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I'm a girl therefore I'm useless?
So this is more to vent than anything else. I am new to the fire department and am switching over from EMS. On the ambulance I am respected and trusted because I have seen the calls and been there and worked side by side with the others on my service. However, now as I join the fire department for the first time no one is respecting not because I'm new and am learning that I would at least understand but no they are not respecting me because I am a female! There is a woman who has been on our volunteer department for 17 years! She is the first to volunteer for things and the first one to help teach someone no matter what sex they are! Well she put in her application for captain this year and is now being treated differently because she dared to try for an officer position. To give you a history she would be the first female officer our department has ever had! It makes me want to just stick to EMS, I am really enjoying firefighting when the right people are around me it makes me almost not want to go when the pager goes off! I just don't know how to handle it or what to do? I don't want to be driven out because of my sex. Sometimes people make me wonder.
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Comment by Delaine on December 30, 2007 at 1:04am
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This is coming from a fellow female firefighter. I have been doing this for about 17 years. I too had to prove myself. Now, I have been a Lieutenant for about 7 or 8 years or so. And my guys do respect me or I should say, the respect if mutual. I am also the chief engineer over the pumper/engine. But guess what, I still have to prove myself every time we get a new member. And, I have to listen to whisperings at calls, "that's a girl on the fire truck, driving, operating, fighting fire, " But, I quit letting it make me angry and now just feel extremely proud because the "GUYS" are not being pointed out and watched. I like the attention. Feel free to write me anytime. By the way, we have a total of 22 members, are volunteer, and 7 of us are females. I am very particular about anyone that joins but especially the females. I have to be sure they are joining for the right reasons, not just to be around the guys or to be able to wear "A FIRE SUIT". Also, I have the pleasure of working with my hubby who is the assistant chief. And no it does not get me any special treatment. He is harder on me if anything.
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Comment by mike on December 29, 2007 at 11:43pm
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JoAnn I know u can do this job the same as any other guy. I will admit u probley will get a lot of crap for being a girl in the fire service, there are a lot of guys who for some stupid reason think that this job should be guys only. I had one girl when i was doing my fire class, and she could hang with the best of us. I would be proud to have her on my department, and I know I would love to have u on my department, stay strong and I know u can do it.
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Comment by Dave, NB 9 on December 29, 2007 at 9:32pm
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Joann, join the female firefighter blog. That may help you out with some of your feelings and get some back-up. Just an idea - trying to help ya out! I'm here for ya!
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Hold your ground girl! There are tons of Female firefighters across this counrty. Bottom line here is you are a firefighter. Your fire dept. should have people to mentor you as you become more familiar with things. If they are treating you as an outcast, then your safety may be in jeopardy at call. Team work! Don't give up because of a few bad apples. Your an important part of your community and they all appreciate you and your dedication!
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