Recruiting women for a volunteer department

[FyredUp]

Hello. I am the chief of a small rural volunteer fire department. And yes, I am a male.

We have been recruiting heavily for about 2 years now with limited success. We have used mailings, advertising on community bulletin boards, and just plain talking to people. All of this has been non-gender specific with asking for community minded individuals. I am beginning to think I need to more specifically target the women of our communtiy. To let them know they are, for the want of a better word "welcome". In fact to let them know much more than that, we need them to step up, and serve the community.

We have had women members in the past and there were no problems. Not that there should have been. But, I do understand the good old boy network and the fear of change.

How should I go about trying to tap into this vast resource? If you choose to respond, PLEASE be serious about this, because I most certainly am. Thank you for your help.

[ladysmoke7]

Hi ... I am relatively new to the fire service and can only speak from my own experience ...so ... my advise is to say in you recruitment letters or posters that women are welcome as well as men and that may only take the fact of stating the word 'women'. I really believe that most of us think we are not welcome. Good luck!

[FyredUp]

Thanks, I guess I will do that. I had hoped by not making our recruiting stuff gender specific all would know they are welcome. But I think you are exactly right.

[firejinx104]

I have been on my Dept. for 4 years, and I have found that the best way( for me) is to bring it up in conversations with friends, I have brought at least 2 other females to the department this way.

[Pamela Baber]

We have a unique situation on our rural VFD.
Though all of our members are on the department, they are not all firefighters. We have an emergency response unit as well.
Ten years ago when I joined the department, there were no female firefighters. Now we have several. Our emergency response unit has five females, none of which are firefighters. Our department welcomes females and I think having females on the EMS
side may have contributed to others joining the fire side. We do joint trainings and our fire side responds to all MVAs and woods rescues. I think specifying that women are welcome is a good tip. Having an open house / informational meeting describing fire fighter training may also be helpful. Posting announcements in the local church bulletins may generate some interest as well.
good luck in your endeavor!

[FyredUp]

Thanks to all of you for your help. I hadn't thought of the church bulletin idea. I also like the open house concept. I am putting together new recruitment info packets with the mention of men and women, not just community minded individuals.

[craig7404]

we have had women in our dept for only a couple of years now. We recuited them by plain talk. We started first responding for the ambulance service and needed expert emts
so we talked with the ambulance service about recuiting and got one woman employee to join then a lady in our area volunteered than two more 1 being my wife. Women can fight fire as good as men in most cases. We use the local paper and church bullitins and
just invite everyone to our meetings. Its is a slow process sometimes but you just keep on.
good luck

[FutureFireFighter]

I think it's great that you are advertising that you are looking for both sexes for a Dept. http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif

Be safe.

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Dez

FireFighterLuvr@FireHouseMail. com, Diggedy_Dez_Dogg@yahoo.com, Dez_FireGrrrl@HOTmail.com

[ff26emt]

I am a female ff/emt. I have been in one dept. for two years and another for only a month. My original dept. is approximately 50% women. Men have their wives join, there are signs on the street entering the township staying " sponsered by local fire dept. all men and women welcome to join" It also gets posted in the paper that member are needed, men and women welcome. As for my other dept. there are no other women firefighters, but the men seem to be taking me ok. Only have two older men giving me trouble, because they are set in their old ways. One has turned around after seeing how i can rip a car apart in 30 min myself. All I can say is women shoudln't hesitate to join.

[Med1083]

Being a firefighter for 12 yrs., and belonging to several different fire companies, this is my feeling on your topic. In each one of the companies I belong to, we have female firefighters. Having been around the firehouse all of my life, I was first skeptical of woman firefighters. However, my fears have been put to rest. I would gladly pack-up and go in with anyone of our women firefighters. The company I have belonged to for a longest, has a sign out side of our station the says "Volunteer's Needed, Men & Women 16 y/o and older welcome to apply. Training nights, every Tuesday nights at 7pm". I hope this helps. Another thing that helps, get the women you have out there during special events (ie; parades, community events)

[Nik]

Lots of good responses here. My husband pretty much recruited me, in a sense. And I'm glad he did. I wish we had more women on the department, though, so this has given me a push to go out and talk it up myself.

be safe,
Nik
Woodbury Vol. Fire Dept.

[Firewoman]

In regards to your question on recruiting female fire fighters. I have been a volunteer fire fighter for almost 8 years now, and am currently the only female volunteer in my station. At one time we had 6 females. One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to target female groups. Actually go out and talk face to face with the women in your area. You can also approach the media to do a news story on your recruitment efforts. It may also be a benefit to track down a female fire fighter from a neighbouring area to assist you in your efforts. A lot of times all it takes is for a woman to see another woman doing the job.

Good luck in your quest.

Sandee Crooks
Lieutenant
Halifax Regional Fire (Nova Scotia, Canada)

[Edneyville1562]

I have been in the fire department for only one month. I thought I just wanted to do the medical stuff until I fought my first brush fire and that was the beginning of the end. Now I am anxiously awaiting my first structure. The guys have been really good to help and not to criticize anything I have done.
I don't think there is a good way to recruit women. It's a choice that we have to make for ourselves. I got lucky and had support from the chief and several friends who are vetrans of the fire service.
Good luck recruiting!

[Barbara Lambert]

Hi I have been in our local community Fire Dept. for a little over a month. I am very new to this. I've been on a few grass fires,1 big grass and woods fire,a few wrecks; 1 where a man wrapped himself around a tree,which was sad,he did not make it.I can't really do anything yet because I need more training as far as first responders'but the ones that are trained can always use a
rookies assistance. (to fill out a report,go get medical supplies;and etc.. just to be of assistance. I don't know a whole lot,but I do know every little bit of help will be appreciated or it should be anyways. I do agree with the lady about the best way to get recrits is for a woman or a man to really have the drive and want to fight fires and be a first responder;to the fire depts. that have that in their dept. My husband has been in the Firefighting business for 22 years, and still has a strong drive to help our community, and I hope mine will always stay that way. I have to admit,even though I always want to help people, I never had the drive to help people in this kind of way untill I have been with him awhile,and now I want and desire to do the same, so yes sometimes it does take seeing someone else fight fires or being a first responder. I also encorage husband and wife teams. Even though I am a rookie, all you ladies hang in there, and do this for the right reason. All you men hang in there too.

Barbara Lambert



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[FyredUp]

Thanks to all of you for your ideas and suggestions.

I am going to give some of them a try and I will let you know how it goes.

[ladyfirefighter]

FyredUp,

As a lady volly I can tell you that alot of women would have a real interest in joining your deartment. But you are right, the trick is how to reach them.

I don't know if your department runs medical calls, but if it does you could try approaching women employed at the local hospital or enrolled in the nearest EMT program. You may find several good recruits who had just never thought about becoming involved in the fire service. All they need is someone to suggest the idea to them.

Good luck!

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Stay Safe...
Rebecca Richardson FF/EMT
Isles of Capri Fire Rescue
South Florida

[shedevil]

Although I have no suggestions for how to recruit more women, would like to commend you on your efforts. I live in a rural community where the Fire chief believes women have no place in the firehouse. Good luck with your efforts.

[Carolynn]

Try a visit to your local US Army Reserve and National Guard Centers when they are having a weekend drill... As an Army Recruiter, I know that amongst those who serve in our Volunteer Army one weekend a month, are already some of the best home-town heros around... I just started as a vol. Firefighter mainly because I didn't know that I didn't have to have previous training and/or experience. It is the most rewarding place I've ever volunteered.

On any given "drill" weekend you'll have the captive audience of at least 70 soldiers from your own county -- go for it!

[Brandy620]

Hi,
I think what you are doing is great. There is no reason why a women can't do this type of work. I've been doing this for four year's now. I found it hard because I am not mechanically incline. And alot of the work is running pump's on the truck's and portables. It would be alot easier if all pumps were exactally the same. But there not. Also with the truck's on general maintaintance. I sure learned alot. I found I'm even doing circle check's on my own. Which saved me from driving off with flat tires,etc.
I got into this with a guy who hunted on my property. I would see the truck go by at diffent times, and ask him about it.
He'd tell me to join and find out myself. At this time the dept. was all males. That didn't bother me any - but.
He invited me to go on a practice. They were doing a live burn around the corner from me. I went. It was great and I put in an application. Then I found out about the couple of women who had joined before. Well it wasn't good. A couple of the guy's quit right away. And I really had to put my foot down about taking the nonsence. I am single with teenager's. I think if I 'd been married and not seperated it would've been easier. I had to work alot harder than the new guy's did just to fit in, bascially.
Some women are intimidated by all these things. It's not easy.
If I was you, I'd find out all the view that your guy's have on this subject. If they have any problems, work them out now.
I'm from a small town also and really never thought about joining. I figured it was just a guy thing.
After a year or so other women joined. Now we have 5. One is strickly EFR. She's a nurse. Also two off on mat. now. But they feel welcome, and comfortable.
There are probley some women in your area who have raised there children and have the time. We have Easter Egg Hunt's and Car Washes. It bring's out more people than you usually deal with.
It's my experience and idea's. Maybe you can find something in there that you can use, or insite.
Good Luck to you- and good for you
Brandy 620

[FyredUp]

Again thanks to all of you who responded. I have changed our recruitment posters to state Women and Men. I continue to talk to members of the community and yet the results are amazingly disapointing. Not one woman has expressed an interest. But I am determined and will not give up.

[firedame]

When I was hired over 10 years ago, there was only one woman and I was hired in a group of 13, 4 of us are women. It has been my experience that depts that have women attract women. When all your hard work is done and you finally have 1 or 2 women, don't stop there if you want to keep your dept. well rounded. Usually women who are worth their salts will be recruited by bigger depts. Use your magnets while you have them or you'll be back to square one before you know it.
Good luck
Firedame
Oakland, CA

[This message has been edited by firedame (edited January 25, 2000).]

[lt.jmp21]

in my company we have 5 woman "firefighters"
and i don't know when was the last time i seen any of them do any work at a fire scene.
as far as i am concerned if they want to be so called "active firefighters" the should be willing to do the same work the men do. no questions asked.

these are my views and opinons and not nesscarly the views of the active hose co or the ntfd.


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Joseph M Piwtorak

[FyredUp]

LT jmp21,

Sorry your experiences have been all bad. We have had some good women firefighters here in the past. In fact one of our best MPO's was a woman.

I guess I feel this way. There are good and bad both ways, men and women. Perhaps all the women on your FD need is a little more guidance and encouragement.

Take care and stay safe,

Don

[Wolf2980]

LT jmp21,
Well it sounds like you need, as LT, to give these girls a swift kick in the A@*. If they want to play with the boys they need to work like the boys. I understand where you are comming from, we had a female join our ranks not to be a fire fighter, but to make a feminist point. Well, that ended rather quickly because our officers will not tolerate slackers male or female. We run a tight ship with a little discipline that most outsiders don't like but were the best damn company in the county!

[JAY FROM OHIO]

First in reponse to the original question, utilize your local high school(s) that are in your jurisdiction. Approach them about taking part in career day or starting a career day. Present your department and try to get a paid firefighter (female and/or male) to go with you. Present this as a career opportunity but let them know they can give it a test drive as a volunteer and can remain one even if they became career. Also aprroach the PTA at your school(s), and any communtiy groups and offer to do fire safety classes/ lectures for them. Not only will they apprecaite the topic/ information but you have a golden opportunity to speak to a captive audience and share your communities needs for volunteers. If you're a small community follow up after every run with a survey sheet and see how the customer service aspect of the run was as well as having a box to check if they are interested in more information on volunteering. Until many people have contact with the fire department, it is a mysic, forbidden place where no one really knows what happens or what is involved.

Second, I am a woman who has been in the fire service for 9 years now and I do agree with Lt. Jump and Wolf. I am so tired of some of the woman I've run into in the fire service who are more worried about how their hair looks after they take mask then putting forth any effort. I'll be the first to tell you that I lack some of the upper body strength that many of you have, but I will not give up until I have done the same job as you. I think that hiring based on sex or race hurts us all. If you can't do the job or want to use either as a crutch this is the wrong profession.

Jay

[FireIce]

Hi..I am a volunteer firefighter from Nova Scotia Canada and our dept has 4 women firefighters. Our recruitment committee does everything it can to encourage both male & female firefighters and has a woman on the committee. It also helps to have women firefighters at anything public to show people that women can do the job just as well as any man.

[NCRSQ751]

To LTJmp21: If you have some sad individuals in your department they need to be handled appropriately. Would you allow men to stand around and do nothing? Handle it as you would them.

I would ask however, if they are standing around because they want to, or are they being displaced? I have been in emergency services for over 12 years, and it took me a good 6 to learn when to tell someone to get out of my way. Many times they guys will (not necessarily meaning harm)basically push you out of the way and say - 'Let me do that'. I think in some cases it's an attempt at chivalry, in others it's because they think you can't cut it. Those females need to learn to take responsibility for themselves and ensure their equal share of the work.

Frankly I agree that everyone, male/female/undetermined needs to be able to do the same job or get out. In my department everyone gets the same training with the same standards. I'm one of two female officers and no one is cut any slack. When it comes down to it, fire, rescue or whatever - the patient/victim isn't any lighter for me than you - and the fire doesn't pull back because I am female.

The problem is for your department to fix, it's not a problem with women in the fire service.

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Susan Bednar
Captain - Forsyth Rescue
North Carolina Strike Force 1

[FyredUp]

Folks,

I don't want this to turn into a battleground over women in the fire service.

The original question by me was simply this: How do I get women to apply for and become members of my volly FD.

Take the fight elsewhere.

Thanks,

Don

[rescue3]

as a young woman firefighter in a small rural town, i understand your problem. i often wonder why there are not more female firefighters. although i always felt that i wanted to be a volunteer firefighter, it was definately not encouraged by most people (fortunately, the fire department was/is not included among these people). in the end, if a person is going to be a firefighter, even if he/she is discouraged, he/she will find a way. maybe it's in the blood.
on the recruiting side, i think the best way to recruit females is to get the younger generations involved. go to the high schools and make sure they are aware that firefighting is an option if they are willing to work hard, train, and go to calls. for example, if you teach fire safety at elementary schools, bring along a women firefighter. i know that many people are surprised when they find out that i am a firefighter. i also know from experience if females see other females out drilling and at calls, it will not seem as intimidating. with that said, i must say that what you are doing is GREAT!!!!! my department has been great about women firefighters and they have made it a great experience (for all). good luck and stay safe.

[NCRSQ751]

I agree, having women out there doing the recruiting is the key. Women who are doing it and can speak of their own experiences are and always will be of great influence to anyone interested in pursuing it. I know it works for my department. Women bring in more women than men do. I think it's a comfort thing.

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Susan Bednar
Captain - Forsyth Rescue
North Carolina Strike Force 1

[FyredUp]

Unfortunately we have no women on the department currently to recruit other women. I do like the idea though and when we get our next woman on I will utilize them in that manner.

Once again thank you all for your ideas. It is truly appreciated.

[Quint1Medic]

All the input you're getting on recruitment is great, chief-but you also need to think about retention! You can get all the women in your department that you want, but if they aren't able to fit into the department, they're going to leave.
The greatest problem I've encountered in the fire service is lack of communication. Most of that seems to be due to fear of saying the wrong thing, more than unwillingness to talk. When you get some interested women, sit down with them, on a casual basis, and find out what they're expecting from the department-and tell them what YOU expect.
When you're planning how to make whatever physical/operational changes you need to, try not to do everything at once. Obviously, enclose the urinals and hide the dirty magazines...and give the men a general idea of what you want, but the delivery of daily lectures on proper deportment isn't going to go over well. I've been through it, and all that does is create tension - adults should be able to adjust to each other without constant reminders. Once the women start becoming involved, try to include guys and girls in discussion of problems-once they start talking to each other about issues, it gets easier to do it casually.
The best thing you can do is make sure everyone in your department knows what you expect, and that he/she can come talk to you if there's a problem. Judging from your posts, I don't think you'll have much of a problem....Good luck!

[FyredUp]

Quint1Medic,

I hear you and believe me you are preaching to the choir. I think you hit the nail on the head with the treat each other like adults. Currently on my volly FD we don't allow sexually offensive material in the station (dirty magazines or videos).

My personal uptake on the harrassment issue is this, if you have to look over your shoulder to see who is there before you say it....maybe you shouldn't say it at all. I also use for myself the following....if I wouldn't say it in front of my wife, mom, or sister, why would I say it to a female firefighter? Sounds simplistic but it seems to work. I also feel that a firefighter is a firefighter, male or female makes no difference to me, its performance that counts.

Of course there are dinosaurs that don't want women on this job. I don't believe I can change their minds, but that doesn't mean I let them get away with being jerks either.

We are very clear with all interested parties what is expected of them and ask them what they expect and why they want to join. We even have a booklet made up with recruit and membership requirements. This has solved many retention problems because people know what is what right up front.

I appreciate your input as well as everyone elses here. I will renew my efforts and hopefully get some new recruits.

[Charlotte]

I am currently trying to look into a career change from the manamgement role i have carried out forthr last 5 years, and am interested in the Fire Services as a possiblilty.

As a female rugby player i am very used to the sort of intrigue / comment and some old school "Shouldnt let women into this sport" situations, and am encouraged that having already dealt with this on a regular basis, that with all my other reasons for wanting to do this - I should be in quite a good solid starting position !

SO - Any one know :
How do i go about making enquiries? Who should i speak to? How do i find out more?

Cheers
Charlotte (Charlie)
(Berkshire - UK)

[Captstanm]

Why dont all you that are so opposed to women in the fire service sit back and look at the "big picture"? What do you say about men who work in the "job" that can't cut it?

I have had some women work for me that are much better firefighters and in some cases much better drivers that some men. In fact, as a career firefighter and officer, I have only seen one (1) woman in my 20 years that absolutely did not belong in the Department. I once spent a week on an engine with a female driver and two female firefighters! Wake up folks....it is the year 2000. I think the one comment about women staying home is totally inappropriate