Women in the Emergency Services

[FFCadet16]

I am a female cadet, and I am one of 2 girls in our departments program. I also happen to be 5ft tall and 115lbs. Some of the guys say that I probably wont make it because I am too small. Yet, I fit through a 16 in hole faster than them, and I can drag 180lbs. and carry 140lbs. How could it be that I don't have a chance if I can do about the same as the guys?

[code3firefly]

You go girl!! I am a female vol. firefighter and they know I can do it!! I proved to them I could!! Child, earn their trust by doing your best and doing it right. Size doenst mattter if you can do the job!! ( I weigh 175 and am 5'2" they said I was too out of shape, but they were wrong! I can do the stuff as well as they can)

[Capt. Zada]

We have a lady member of my company who is tall and thin. She fits very nicely into attic scuttle holes. When we need to check for extension from a chimney fire, guess who usually inspects the attic. She can handle any other job that she is assigned.

[WOODMAN]

Hey,dont worry if you are doing the same as the "guys" you will be fine just dont let the knuckle heads get to you and let your action speak for you.Heck some of the guys are worring that you will do better then they will.Just let us know how you do.

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[N2DFire]

Carry 140lb - Drag 180lb and your 5ft and 115Lb ?

Sounds to me like ther is no question about you making it. Far as I can tell you have already made it - those guys just don't know it yet.

Just hang tough, keep learning & training, and most of all don't let the "narrow minded" in-DUH-viduals (Non Industry Specific term http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/biggrin.gif) get you down.

And if all else fails - your more than welcome to come fight fire down here in "Gods Country".

Take Care - Stay Safe
Stephen
FF/EMT-CT

[mtnfireguy]

Don't let em get ya down

More than physical strength is mental strength. Keep a positive attitude, ignore the idiots and you'll go far

[Lieutenant Gonzo]

I'm willing to bet that the "guys" that say you aren't going to make it could not undergo the training regimen themselves...they are either "dinosaurs", out of shape or the infamous "doorway dancers" that "talk the talk" but can't "walk the walk".

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We boldly go where no one else dares...
take care and stay safe
Lt. Gonzo

[Chief Izzy]

you go, FFCadet16,
doesnt sound to me, like you are going to have a hard time, and I have to agree with Lt Gonzo,
there is something that THEY are afraid of,
dont get discouraged,
you will find that there will come a day that after you have shown that you can do just about anything,
you are going to be able to walk up and say, " you have issues to deal with, as far as me not being able to make it'

dont let them get the best of you, but dont stoop to their level, either,
just do the best that you can, and be proud of all that you accomplish,,,,,,,,,,and work for what YOU want,
not what others think you are going to fail at,,,,,,,,
those that comment like that, will learn what the REAL world is like, all too soon
and I dont think they are going to be all too happy with what they see,
but hey,,,, you arent going into this to see what you can prove, and who you can outdo,
so you just go, girl,
and do your best,
and remember, good things come in small packages,
Im a woman,,,,,, and 5'2",
so you dont have to be BIG to be able to do it,

best of luck through the class
stay safe


Izzy
Chief 198

[smokeatr#50]

Let me tell you something about female firefighters from a guys perspective. Women make as good of firemen as men do. In one of my training classes I was competing for top honors with a female firefighter. She was very petite lady, maybe 115 lbs, but she was one heck of a firefighter. WE finished at the top of our class, her first and I was second, and several jerks asked me how it felt to finish second to a female. I told them I trust going into a burning structure for search and rescue or attack team more with her than most male firefighters.
All I can say is you should be very proud of what you are doing, and ask the members of your department does the fire really care whether you are male or female?? If they give you any trouble then they should be ashamed of themselves.
Keep your head up and do the best job you can possibly do.

[rojaig]

Hi
I am 6'3" and weight 245 - and even in metric that is a bunch (canadian eh)- We have 3 females on the department nad aside from the smiles they seem to have all the time I would and do trust my life with all of them. Kim, Misty and Laurie are just as tough and just as capable as most of the guys - sure there are times that I would rather lift somethig than have them lift it but it is not a girl / guy thing it is a size thing - I am an ox compared to some of the fighters and I can lift more - fact of life. but for all my size - I can't fit in places the smaller people can - so I act as support for them - WHAT NEEDS TO BE REMEMBERED IS WE ARE A TEAM!!!!!!!!! some are better at some things and others are better at other things - and unless you can't meet the min requirements - an all together different issue - you are as good or better than anyone else - Prove it on the fireground!!! Show them what you can do as part of an attack team - to use a phrase " you go girl"

Robby

[tigger]

As a fellow female firefighter, I offer my support! My first physical agility test was for a small fire department in Colorado. I was testing against some pretty big guys. I gave it everything I had, and after being accepted into the department, I was told that I blew away some of the guys scores! If you can do the job, it doesn't matter what gender you are! Keep up the good work! http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif
tigger

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Pull to the Right for Sirens & Lights! ;)

[AZ3 Erik Prager]

There is absolutely NO reason that a female cannot perform as well as a male can. I work onboard ship with females everyday, and have seen one of our female firefighters carry one of our guys out of a engulfed space when he was caught in a flashover. If that doesn't prove the point, what will?? I have perfect confidence in every person I work with, male or female. They would put their lives on the line for me and I for them. Nuff said!

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USS Kitty Hawk(CV-63)
Flying Squad
"Freedom's Firefighters"

[Les.H]

The right tools for the right job. Every person has a quality all of their own to do a job that others can't do. I hate working with wood or trying to fix my car. I leave that to those who know what they are doing, a craftsman.

No matter who or what you are, if the cap fits - then wear it with pride.

I know some male firefighters that should not have been in the job and would have to watch my back in a situation if they were behind me. Then there are some ladies that I would have no concerns working with.

As they say 'horses for courses'. I am 240lbs and can crash through a front door with no problem but to fit into a confined space can prove a bit difficult. Each firefighter has a job that they can do better than other crew members and the OIC of the crew knows that and uses it its best value.

Hold you head high and walk tall and enjoy the ride. Good luck.

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Kindest regards & keep safe,

Sprinkle (UK)

[E229Lt]

Sounds to me like they got to you.
They have made YOU question your ability!
Your looking to enter a service where there isn't often a lot of time for second guessing.
My advice to you is:
1. Take a good look at yourself.
2. Decide to continue or quit.
3. Make a decision
4. Don't second guess it.