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Comment by Chris Vernovai on February 9, 2009 at 11:15pm

I have to say in my last 14 years in the fire service, three different fire departments, both paid and volunteer, I have worked with quite a few female firefighters. One of the best Captains I have had was a female. I have seen women firefighters do stuff that males are unable to do, including save other firefighters butts when stuff went south! Women are stuck with a stigma of being inferior. I hate that we as a population are often unable to respect people as individuals with abilities and limitiations. There are many women in the fire service that can well hold their own and then some. How many firefighters (male or female) are going to have an easy time rescuing a 350 pound firefighter plus their 80 plus/minus pounds of gear? I agree with Fire Bear, "What do you mean there are women in the fire service, I just see another set of turnout gear..."

Now, is there more that needs to be accomplished by a female vs male? Maybe some increased physical training/strength building. We do handle a lot of heavy, bulky pieces of equipment that is not easy to handle, such as say, a charged length of LDH. In 2008, about 45% of all LODD was cardiac related. Male and female firefighters alike need to be hitting the gym more than we are. We worry about our PPE, but we need to go back to the basics, our bodies.

All in all, If YOU want to be a firefighter, DO it. Don't let others hold you back. Take the training, knowledge and put it to good use.

Heres one last thought, Why don't we start dropping the "Ladies" off of the Ladies Auxiliary?? Or is it that the men are not good enough to assist the firefighters??

Comment by firefighterjason on February 9, 2009 at 11:57am

I thik what women can do help men in the fire services is be beside them. When it is fighting a fire medica call so have you everyone is a brother or sisterand everyone should get the same chance as one another. Another thing that women can do is be behind everyone and just give moral support if that is waht is needed but continue todo what you do women are more helpful than some think.

Comment by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on February 9, 2009 at 8:36am

What are some things that the women can do to help the men ?
For starters; if they are on the fire department, they insist on not being treated differently.
Your question leads me to believe that you are in an auxiliary or something. If that is the case, then help them raise money.
Again; the answer to your question would depend on your status.
TCSS.
Art

Comment by FIRE BEAR on February 9, 2009 at 8:09am

what theres women in the fire dept i havent noticed all i see is another set of bunker gear behind me. in other words if you or another women can do the job no matter what it is then have at it i trust a women just as much as a guy and i owe my life to one who got me out of a bad day at work

Comment by Edward Fleming on February 8, 2009 at 11:31pm

Yeah what lutan1 said. I have fought fire with several women and they did a very good job also had them by my side on several extrications too. Do what ever you are trained to do.

Comment by lutan1 on February 8, 2009 at 3:32pm

Ruthie- they can stand up and stand beside the men on the hose. They can go inside a burning building with the men. They can extricate a patient from an MVA with the men.

In fact, come to think of it- they can do all this without the men as well....

Be prepared for this discussion to turn south very rapidly- it's been rehashed many, many, many times udner various names.