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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 Sam on
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Como esta Dee Dee,
1. True, society feels that women belong in the home. I believe that if a woman is up for the challenge, and can pull me out of a building if something should happen, I will back her all the way. I have worked for and with several female FIRE CHIEF'S (Yes, for everybody reading there are several female fire chief's in New Mexico.) They have been just as good to work for, or better than some male fire chief's. One female Chief in New Mexico happens to be Elizabeth "Bett" Clark, Chief of the Bernalillo County Fire/Rescue. One of my very close friends who is a female, is a Firefighter/EMT-B with San Antonio Fire Department in New Mexico.
2. This again is true. However there are 3 issues here. 1. New Mexico is predominately rural, meaning the local fire department (I'm sure you can vouche for this being with Hagerman Fire) is ran and staffed by many different families, and have husband/wife members, son/father members, father/daughter members, boyfriend/girlfriend members, brothers...etc. 2. If you are a member of a fire department and do the job for all the right reasons, don't worry about what others are thinking or saying. 3. If you are a single attractive female and a member of the fire service, be prepared for redicule from the wives of the firefighters or ladies auxilery. Again remember why you are there, and look at this ladies auxilery as the ones who won't fight fires, or as I do. They are the Fire Department cheerleaders...lol. ( I mean that in a good way, so don't construe that.)
There are many reasons and arguments, but the bottom line is remember why you joined, and why you do what you. And of course, never let them see you sweat.
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Nelson on
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I would wonder if it is worst in a paid department then in the vounteer departments? I have been in my volunteer department 7 years and had no problem. I am just one of the guys. I can take it as well as dish it out with the best of them. As a side note, there is not any one firefighter that can drag out another firefighter by himself. That is why we have rit TEAMS not a rit person.
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Permalink Reply by J Mac on
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Here is my opinion on this matter. Sorry if it is a repeat from another, I didn’t take the time to read through the other 315 comments.
First and foremost you can’t paint people with a wide brush! Have some of the women that I have come across in my career been cream puffs and useless on the fire ground? Yes! Have some of the men that I have come across been cream puffs and useless on the fire ground? Again yes!
That being said I have had the pleasure of teaching some dedicated and talented women firefighters and I would gladly team up with anyone of them when it was hitting the fan.
I don’t pre judge people based on their sex, race, religion, or nation origin. Can they dance when it’s time to get it done? That is the only thing that should matter when judging anybody in the fire service.
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Permalink Reply by joe on
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well i have read most of the comments and agree with some and disagree with some.
My true feeling is that is a female wants to do the job that i do great but she has to do it at the same standard that i do it to . ladies understand that you are coming in to a male dom. work feild and the ball breaking ribbing and dirty jokes are just part of it . but on the other hand us guys must know where and when to tell and do such stuff. in my volunteer house we have 5 ladies and 4 of then do the job well. i was at the staion dress for a call one time and the captians wife came in and dressed in gear to go to the call . one catch she was in a dress i double taked. i have been on the line with them and the do better some of the guys . great but i ask one thing of a lady that wants to join accpect the instution as it is, if changes are need then slowly get the don't expect then to happen over night . and i give a lot of respect to any lady that can do the job to the male standand . way to go girls
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Permalink Reply by danny on
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okay lets put an end to this ladies be forewarned you are entering into what is most likely the last organization that is strictly male and like the military change comes slow but it does come in time.
having said that let me say this let each indivual female be judged if they can do the job, let each male be judged if they can do the job. because I know in both cases that their are indivuals who dont need to be in the service at all. but lets end this discussion with this note ladies get off your soap box you have your own type of locker room talk just like us men do. but guys lets us take the high morale ground treat the ladies in the service as you like your momma to be treated and you will find that life will be easier for all concerned and the ladies will do what is best for their stations and departments. okay that was my two cents worth every one be safe and remember all that counts is the fire is out and everyone came home.............. danny d
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Permalink Reply by Pam Quick on
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It will never change, when I got the job I got the award for the most physical fitness, but that's still not good enough for some men. I this some men do not feel as men when people see a female firefighter. I just want to do a good job and I work very hard and harder than most men, I put alot of pride in my work and also in working out. If I could not pull someone out of a fire I do not need this job, the same goes for all women. We do have some lazy women and also men that should not be on this job. I do get alot of sexual harassment by the guys I work around and I do put them in their place. I am married to only one man and that's all I need. When I am in charge, the men hate taking orders from a woman, I feel they should know their daily routine and I should not have to tell them what to do, but they like testing me. If things do not get any better, all women should fight this matter together. I just want to be treated just like they treat the men, fair.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Orbell on
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Hello, Let me tell you , close on half of my department is female and I would'nt put it past any one of them to out preform me any day of the week. And any guy that has a problem taking orders from a woman needs to grow a set of balls. Personal opinion.
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Thanks Mike, we need more real men like you. I agree with you. I only want to do my job and be treated fair, not because I am a woman, I am a firefighter and why can we all not be a team player together as one and forget about what sex we are. Women are here to stay on this job, so let's work together.
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What was your comment suppose to mean? Maybe you got my response wrong, I think women should fight for their rights about being treated fair. I work in a rough area of our city, we fight alot of fires, alot of gunshots, MVA's, overdoses, assaults, deaths, roughly 200 to 250 calls a shift on my Engine and I do my job very well and can handle it. Why can't we all not be equal, male or female, let's protect and saves lives and look out for each other.
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Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on
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I think his point was, he has great respect for many women firefighters and would like put them on an aerial in his department and get rid of the affirmative action hires any day. The sad truth Pam, is there are two types of women on the job. Those who worked hard to get there, and still work hard, and those who were hired to fill a spot because HR said so. I like to call it "Us and them" lol... we all know where we fit!! :)
And you're right, it won't ever change. Many more men are accepting, and that's great. But there are some who just won't accept women on the job, they may have to work with us, but they don't have to like it. And that's fine too. I figure everyone is entitled to their opinion, as long as it doesn't affect my enjoyment of the job, they can keep it! :)
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I agree,the same goes for males, still after being on this full time paid fire department for 15 years, I still take this job serious, lives are at risk and being male or female you better be able to handle this job. If you see someone trying hard or wanting to be a firefighter, let your pride down and help them, male or female. I think you can see with your own two eyes, who really wants this job!
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