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Lack of Respect Because of Your Gender?
check out my Females in the Fire service Group. I am not man bashing at all. I am just stating that i believe women that can do the job deserve equality!!! I do understand that there are women out there that cant...'cuz I have them on my department TOO, however those are the ones that give chics like me who love to get dirty and get hot ( in a fire the that is) a bad name. Tell me your thoughts.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Matthew on
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Sounds like it's either operator error or that it's time for the saw to be replaced.... a chain or vent saw on any department should be able to be EASILY started with one pull... Maybe two or three even.... They should be well maintained, as is the case for any tool in the fire service..
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Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on
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I have to agree with you here Philly. I am always surprised when I hear someone can't start a chainsaw. We have a couple of pretty antiquated pieces of crap on our department and I can start and operate them, I make it a point to do so. I have a friend who at her first call could not start the chainsaw, and it has stuck with her ever since. I couldn't imagine how hard other things must seem. Like I've said over and over again, actions speak louder than words, we have to be able to do it, if we can't, it's speaks volumes and that spreads faster than if we can do it unfortunately.
Sigh, I don't know, maybe I'm just too passionate about this (is that possible). I just think if you're going to be on this job, you had better be able to do everything that is asked of you, and if not, you had better be willing to ask for help. My daughter needs her mother, not an apology because someone "couldn't do it or it took them forever to get it done." I just got a chill thinking about waiting to hit the fire while waiting for ventilation, and waiting, and waiting, and .....
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Permalink Reply by Dennis on
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Maybe because starting a chainsaw isn't a complicated task. It just requires a MINIMUM of strength that should be viewed as a given for EVERY firefighter, unassisted. It is a simple but CRITICAL task. If she is having trouble starting one then I have to wonder how well she would be able to use one. Some tasks are ESSENTIAL for EVERY firefighter. Grant writing doesn't fall into that category. Starting a chainsaw does. Thats the point. If you aren't good at the core abilities / tasks then compensating with peripheral tasks doesn't make up for it. If your good at grant writing then maybe your talents lie elsewhere, not on a roof or on a tip. Minimum ability not perfection.
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Permalink Reply by turk182 on
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First of all i am not stupid enough to hold my hand over a flame and second if your chain saw does not start or you are making a cut and something happens to it what do you do wait fo another chain saw to be brought to you. i think that also makes you wait and wait and wait. has any one thought maybe to bring an axe or a back up saw with you so if something like that would happen you would not have to wait you would have the tools you need there. so i guess none of you never make mistakes or have a problem at fires.
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Permalink Reply by Rachel Fulling on
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Jim,
I Have been doing this for 13 years now and I have guys on my FD that prefer to Back me up on the nozzle ove someone the guys... Yes I said back me up 'cuz I wan the nozle just as much as the next FF. All I am saying is that when you have this kind of respect within your own FD and are the only female that fights fires and you are expected to listen to another female who is less trained and who wont go into the building.... It becomes real hard to do your job without thinking about this issue!!
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I understand the point just fine but if i know a person in my company is having problems with a specific task i will make them train on it until they get it down. I watch my people and find their strengths and weaknesses and when I know that then it will makes things easier I am not going to loose a good firefighter because they have trouble doing something. that is why we stress training and if she is having problems with something than it is hers and the training officer "if they have one" or officers job to make sure she gets the training she needs.
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Permalink Reply by SMOKEnPipesJim on
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Rachel, I prolly spoke too soon, and should have read further into it then I did too, Knowing that its easy to Type and be misconstrued... :) All I was getting at , was as Long as all involved DONT EXPECT to be respected, despite they're actions, or attitude, you know what I mean.. Most likely better then many .. what I am saying.. it wasnt directed at females or you personally, and I think others have also touched on this, As Firefighters we ALL have weak points and that is why teamwork is important to smooth overthe bumps left in our weak areas.,..walking in as a KNOW it all, I can do everything isnt going to cut it either, we all have to show others our attributes as well as admit our weaknesses, strive to overcome them head on nothing is worse then a person who Knows it all, Yep yep yep, until its time to perform a task and its bumble central.. YOu can respect a person who says I have never tryed to do this Have no idea how to approach doing this or I dont think I can accomplish a task like this physically over someone who "Knows how to do it", but then you learn they have no clue what you even mean...lol Like you mentioned having issues with the saw, some saws are very big, very powerful and very dangerous... If Just starting its a problem, I would work with you, to help you, rather then scoff about it, spend enough time doing wwhatever it took togetyou comfortable with the tool..If that meant giving you some work out ideas to help strengthen your grip or arm, to building a "training roof" to allow you plenty of practice time on the saw, ... I have said it in other places and other threads, everything we do with confidence we have done numerous times until it becomes easy.. using a saw is work, but doing it under conditions we often find ourselves in Dark, smoky conditions on a roof, snow, makes the need to be extra confident even more important under such conditions... right? if you want to get "over it" you need to "be one with the saw" ..just an example... of course, If your around on the daily checks of the saw, seek permisssion from the officer or whomever to do the checks with the driver or whomever starts the saw. By going head first AT the saw, YOU show "the guys" that you recognize that you are trying toatack your weaker points or issue... and Trying to work on them and improve yourself, That Commands respect !!
Does that make better sense? as to where I was trying to go? I hope so, I dont want to be misconstrued as a anti anything .. I am far from it .. we all have inner strengths and weaknesses we all need to identify and try to overcome the weaknesses, a rookie who comes in and parks his or her butt IFO the tv gets the rep, obviously we can't know everything either but we all need to do our best If I am active "doing things" until midnight with 18 years onthejob, A rookie sitting IFO the boob tube from end of housework until He's told to get up, aint gonna have Much respect from me.. right? Jim
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Permalink Reply by Alana on
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Regarding the pink Nomex hood. Somebody asked if the dye affects the hood itself. On my career department, I use the department-issued white hood, but where I volunteer I've used the pink dyed one for three years now. In fact, I found right away that guys weren't picking up my hood on accident anymore. The dye didn't affect the hood at all and nobody on the department cared that it was pink.
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Permalink Reply by Damon Dyer on
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The dye might affect the brain a little bit but i have not worked with one better. Alana i would battle hell itself if you backed me up!!!
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Permalink Reply by Captain Jenner on
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I'm extremely lucky, as I've never been treated differently in my six years at my current department. Other departments I am sure are different, I especially see it at mutual aid calls when guys from different companies see that I am a Captain. :)
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That is kickass, I have always wanted a pink hood. What kind of dye did you use? I always tease the male members of my department that I want a pink helmet. ;)
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Permalink Reply by VIFirewoman on
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I agree with Rachel I wish we were treated like one of the guys. YES, our abilities may differ but a good manager and team will recognize the strengths and weaknesses of thier crew and work with it either by training or adapting to the situation.
I am small (in size) I have the ability to fit in spaces others can't however I got not have 1/2 as much strength as a man (naturally). BUT... I can lift, charge and pull a hose till the job is done. Partly because I have mentally prepared myself not to give up no matter what.
Yes, I realize the some people are skeptical in having a woman back them on the nozzle or drive the truck but I agree with another member when they said there are some men that they are skeptical of as well. It depends on the person.
I have busted my ass to prove to my Department that I am not one of those girly girl FF like everyone has in thier Dept. And for the most part women in my Departmant have a bad rep. (some for good reason others not for good reason).
Rachel speaks the truth and if I may add I think the ego of a man gets in the way a little too often. For example , if I suggest something (a remedy to a situation, a better way to go about things,etc. ) it falls upon deaf ears but if a man suggests it, it is taken into consideration. Why is that? Again I think the male ego....combined with the fact that this has been a "man's Job" for decades and it will take time for women to gain full acceptance into thier world. BUt like everything change is inevitable..
I help out alot ways in my Department and never get credit or thank you, it would be nice but it is ok the job gets down, we get the supplies we need etc, etc, etc....
Please do not get me wrong there are guys out there that respect women and feel that they do belong in the Department and even help them out to gain the strength or skills they need to be a better Firefighter and to those I give my heartfelt thanks. And there are women that can help men out as well to gain the saem strength and skills needed to become a better FF.
Keep these words in mind - EACH ONE TEACH ONE.. Live by that
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