Female Firefighters as Sex Objects?

[Nik]

I haven't been reading the forums for some time, but I've always believed firehouse.com to have some of the best news in the fire service around, so I made time to come back. I was scrolling through when I saw an ad for Female Firefighters 2001 Calendar near the bottom. (Forgive me for not remembering what department(s) they're from)

My initial reaction was outrage. Today women are trying to become "just another firefighter" without people drawing attention to their gender, and this calendar was certainly drawing attention to, ahem, their unique gender characteristics.

Now, I have a harder time denouncing this calendar because proceeds go to a burn center, which is definately a worthwhile gesture. But it still sets the good gal/evil gal arguements on my shoulders into battle, because the women pictured are shown mostly in a state of undress. Why can't we have a calendar of *working* female firefighters? I highly doubt she's ready to go into a burning building with nothing but a bra and bunker pants.

I'm curious to hear your opinions, and especially if there are any here who are pictured in the calendar.

Nik, P17

[NCRSQ751]

I can't say I agree with you. I can't find the calendar you are talking about, I don't see such a link on my page, but I've seen many like the one you describe.

And I've also seen my share of male FF calendars as well. Locally some male firefighters have actually 'sold' the ability to have your picture taken with them in just turnout pants for charity. (They did well I might add)

I think that to assume that it will make women only sex objects is silly when the male calendars are out there and sell just as well.

It's for a good cause, don't read so much into it.

A calendar does not determine men's attitudes towards women on the job - the women's job performance and attitude does.

[Nik]

Thanks for the reply, as I mentioned, my own mind hasn't been made up on the subject as is, which is why I was curious about the opinions of others.

[NCRSQ751]

I understand and I respect opposing opinions anyway. I have been at this for over 13 years now and I've learned to pick my battles carefully.

I no longer concern myself with anything in the media (print or otherwise) or the negative actions of other women.

Standing up for yourself is respected, being a victim is not.

There will always be women in this business that will hurt us. I don't see them as being just the ones out looking for a husband, or a never-ending supply of men - because you find them in every proffession dominated by men - it will be the ones that don't pull their weight.

It will be the ones who don't want to get their hands dirty, the ones that dissapear when there is work to be done, and those who couldn't pull their partner out of a bad situation. The ones who want different standards for men and women.

So I guess what I'm saying is that I think we have more important things to worry about other than some really pretty women who got into a calendar - they may be able to do the job at least as well as the men and dispell any possible negative feelings men may have about them.

I'm worried about the ones that set a bad example for the rest of us where it counts - on the job.

I'll get off my soap box now.. ;-)
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Susan Bednar
Captain - Forsyth Rescue Squad
North Carolina Task Force 1

[This message has been edited by NCRSQ751 (edited 01-03-2001).]

[Quint1Medic]

I can't say anything you didn't say already, Cap'n...but "pick your battles" is definitely a good point to reinforce.

It's a little like causing a stink over the guys leaving the toilet seats up. Leaving aside the fact that such a complaint would result in *all* of them being up *all* the time, there's ten of them and one of me. Why should my feelings carry more weight? It's a job, not a marriage.

As far as calendars go, there are beefcake guy FF calendars, so why not some for the women, too? A bunch of the firefighters that posed for the calendar were at the Firehouse Expo signing calendars. There were looong lines, and I don't believe I heard a single male voice expressing any doubt in their abilities to do their jobs http://www.firehouse.com/forums/smile.gif

[Firelover]

I have to agree with you on this, but at the same time, we've had some male firefighters do the same thing. They printed a calendar with the proceeds going to the burn unit here in atlantic canada. They put a shirtless man on the cover of the calendar, and it was pretty much sold out 9 months before it came out on the shelves from an add in the newspaper. I really don't know what else to say except I have to agree with everyones postes.

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Joel

If you sent us to HELL, WE'D PUT IT OUT!!

[duerr2]

There are always going to be men that see us as sex objects, but we occasionally look at some of those same men as "objects", also...If it bothers you, don't spend your money.
We've all got a job to do and those that are really here to work will rise to the challenge.

Stay safe!

[ladyfirefighter]

I agree... pick your battles wisely!

But... I really do hate those calendars. With women being in a minority in the fire service we seem to get more of a negative image from those calendars then the men do.

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

[cqc_6]

We're presently in the early stages of developing & printing our first Firefighter Calendar on schedule for distribution in August 2001. All proceeds will go towards a local woman’s crisis center and the auto-extrication team. To be very honest, this project has been a lot of fun to work on. We all have a renewed interest in physical fitness and pride in ourselves for accomplishing this goal. Yea, it's mostly a beefcake calendar... but that’s what sells. I believe that as long as it’s in good taste, money goes toward something everyone believes in, and everyone has fun, then go for it! I have to admit; I have seen the 2001 Female Firefighters calendar. They did a very classy job with it, and as was previously stated, the money went to a great cause. Hats off to them! I believe that the fire service is maturing faster than most other "male dominated" industries. On the fire ground, and in the station house, we're all doing the job. Those are our brothers and sisters in those calendars and they do us all proud!

[Althea Forhan]

In case you didn't notice the "working" environment in those photos-if you look closely at the background of the cover photo it looks like they're at an auto fire. You can see the banner for it at the bottom of the explorer forums sometimes-like those boys need any encouragement.

Althea Forhan