General Discussion > Women of the Fire Industry

Evolutution, Revolution or Lip Service

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jaff:
Are the services evolving towards equality ,fast enough?
As our sevices evolve, as the "old school" way of thinking fades,are we as emergency services thinking of "best or breast" is it any better?

chook:
Slowly, in our service. We are at about 65/45% split in our unit(it was around 50/50), big problem is kids (what do you do with them on a callout?).
And I know a number of UM's that are female, as well as payed staff.
However I have noticed that the atmosphere does change when the fairer sex are members (the blokey shed mentality disappears), & the management style is different :wink:
Noticed a larger number of girls in the local CFS brigades as well, so on the whole it is changing. After all they are over 50% of the population aren't they?
And it does help to keep the testosterone levels down to a manageable level :-D
Anyway enough said I think
cheers

6739264:
I think that it is slowly moving towards equality but there are two main factors that are limiting it. One being the 'boys club' mentality present in many brigades, but thankfully that seems to be slowly fading, and the nature of some women in the emergency services.

Sadly I know of too many women, across different services and pay rates, that are more than willing to play the sex card and because those in high places don't want to be seen as sexist (or have discrimination allegations leveled at them) the women are able to get away with it more often then not.

They are nicknamed a 'protected species' for a reason unfortunately. The fact you have breasts and a vagina should not mean that you get treated any differently, nor should you expect it.

That said, I do know women who are great with the blokes and are the same as the guys, don't give two hoots about political correctness and are just happy to get along. They realise that they are joining a male dominated arena and act as such.

bittenyakka:
well i was amazed at the number of female firefighters on KI and good on them.

I support the idea that all people are equal but in the case of women and getting into traditionally male dominated areas it seems sometimes the firms need to look "equal" gives an unfair advantage to women. How can we solve this?

alphaone:

--- Quote from: 6739264 on March 27, 2008, 12:17:56 PM ---I think that it is slowly moving towards equality but there are two main factors that are limiting it. One being the 'boys club' mentality present in many brigades, but thankfully that seems to be slowly fading, and the nature of some women in the emergency services.
--- End quote ---

As a female firefighter in a brigade of only three females the rest males, I have noticed a boys club. However, I can say that in my brigade, women get treated the same as the guys. There are occassions though that issues have arrised and the brigade has dealt with it.


--- Quote from: 6739264 on March 27, 2008, 12:17:56 PM ---Sadly I know of too many women, across different services and pay rates, that are more than willing to play the sex card and because those in high places don't want to be seen as sexist (or have discrimination allegations leveled at them) the women are able to get away with it more often then not.They are nicknamed a 'protected species' for a reason unfortunately. The fact you have breasts and a vagina should not mean that you get treated any differently, nor should you expect it.
--- End quote ---

When I first joined the CFS, I stated, and continue to maintain, that 'Just beacuse my reproductive organs are on the inside, not the outside does not mean I can not do the same job as the males'. I will not accept being treated differently on the grounds that I am a female. I joined to work hard, train hard and HELP MY COMMUNITY!


--- Quote from: 6739264 on March 27, 2008, 12:17:56 PM ---That said, I do know women who are great with the blokes and are the same as the guys, don't give two hoots about political correctness and are just happy to get along. They realise that they are joining a male dominated arena and act as such.

--- End quote ---

Gee, numbers, you just described me there.

The only thing that I sometimes find a hindrence in the CFS, is the fact that I am exactly 5foot tall. And then I usually try to work my way around that so that I can still do tasks safely.

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