Fire department candidate testing info

[lohof]

I am looking to compare the physical agility portions of different Fire department candidate tests. I would like a description of the test from all departments that currently have women on the suppression staff. Thank you for your help

Alan Lohof
Billings Fire Department
lohof@mcn.net

[Marshal BHG 300]

Alan, as a woman in the fire service let me be the first to say don't change your physical agility test just so you can hire women. I am definately the minority of the minority when I say this. Many women complain and often bring legislation against the fire dept. when they can't get on. I believe this is wrong, wrong, wrong!!! If we can't do the job we shouldn't be there.

Portland Fire Bureau current has a class for women and minorities if you take the class and pass it you are guarenteed a job without even testing with the other candidates. Now if you want to hold a class for everyone, not just women and minorities and show them techniques and get them physically fit, maybe even help them with the book work, great! But, then they have to take the test just like everyone else.

The worst thing women have ever done for themselves is whine and complain and say "you have made it just too hard". Now when these women get a job they are never respected or thought of as real firefighters and they face an uphill battle from the get go. And even worse is that the women who made it because they worked hard and passed the test, are bunched into the same catagory with the ones who couldn't do it.

Let me say this. If your test is so hard that most men can't pass it then it is time to look at changing it, but don't disgrace your deparment, the men and women who work for you, and the women who really try hard and can make it.

I have seen both sides of the fence, and I am proud that I had to make my own way not have it hand fed or court ordered to me.

[Glen Chapman]

We have only 2 women on our Dept and we have no problem with them getting in and Training or fighting fires with us.The other night one of our volunteers brought his brothers girlfriend to a medical scene.And she really showed interest in joining the Dept,but was scared because she was a female.I think that women definatly belong in the fire/rescue service.