Female Firefighters
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[edit] History
Historically, firefighting has been regarded as primarily a male activity. Nonetheless, there have been numerous women who actively fought fire alongside their male counterparts. The first known female firefighter of the United States was a New Yorker by the name of Molly Williams, who was said to be "as good a fire laddie as many of the boys." Sandra Forcier, the first known female paid firefighter in the U.S. began working in 1973.
[edit] Terminology
Because of firefighting's predominantly male participants, the word "fireman" become synonymous with "firefighter." Now, as more and more women are joining the ranks, "firefighter" has become the preferred term, much as "policeman" and "chairman" are being replaced with the gender-neutral words "police officer" and "chair-person."
[edit] Difficult Changes
Since women have only recently begun to be formally considered firefighters, there have been many difficult adjustments for the fire service, a practice steeped in tradition. Initially, the immediate problem of sleeping quarters and bathing areas had to be solved. No longer was the communal shower acceptable, nor was the open bunk hall.
[edit] Today's Challenges
Today, although most stations are now designed to accommodate firefighters of both genders, many female firefighters still face issues related to being female. The number one difficulty experienced by most women in the fire service is ill-fitting protective gear. Not only are women usually smaller than men, they are also shaped differently, so gear designed for men often will not fit correctly. In an environment where uncovered skin can be almost instantly covered in full-thickness burns, it is essential that protective gear fit properly.
Another hardship faced is the common misconception that women are incapable or inferior as firefighters.
According to a study at Cornell University, "the underrepresentation of women in firefighting is an alarming inequity that needs to be immediately addressed,” said Francine Moccio, director of the institute and co-author of the report, “A National Report Card on Women in Firefighting,” which was presented at the International Association of Women in Fire and Emergency Services meeting, April 24, in Phoenix. “Women are not getting recruited and hired because of an occupational culture that is exclusionary and unequal employment practices in recruiting, hiring, assigning and promoting women generally – and women of color in particular – in fire service,” Moccio added.
[edit] Sexual Harassment
Incidences of sexual harassment seem to be diminishing among fire service personnel. This may be attributed to laws being passed, but also to better information being presented to both men and women about acceptable conduct, and consequences being properly enforced for violators.
