Fireman or firefighter?

[SGFDQueen]

Fireman or Firefighter?
<P>I need some information and advice. I am a member of a State Association in Louisiana for firefighters. I requested at last years convention to change the name of the asociation to change the word Firemen's association to Firefighter's association. I feel that the word firemen does not represent the entire membership(the women). I was appalled at the hostile response I received. I was prepared for opposition, but not for the disrespectful names I was called(in reference to sexual preference) These men had no right to call me names as they do not even know my personal life.
<P>This past December, the Association raised money for a new fire truck for FDNY. It was named "The Spirit of Louisiana". A busload of firefighters from all over our state accompanied this truck to New York. Not one woman was invited to attend. This angered me and made me determined to stand up for myself and the other female firefighters in Lousiana. I will stand up in front of 800 men and proclaim, once again, that times have changed. We will be heard!
<P>My purpose of this post is to request information of other organizations that have changed their titles from Firemen to Firefighters. Thank you for your help.

[LadyCapn]

SGFDQueen, I wish you luck.

They didn't make the saying "200 years of Tradition unimpeded by Progress" for nothing. You have your work cut out for you.

[CaptainGonzo]

Firemen take care of boilers and heating plants.

Firefighters fight fires...'enuff said!

[iceman4442]

Captain Gonzo is correct with his definitions, as seems to be usual!

Our state "Fireman's Association" changed it's name at last year's annual meeting to "Firefighter's Association," so I guess it's a good example.

Good luck!

[ALSfirefighter]

Bravo Gonzo, I was always told by my father and grandfather that firemen are the ones that tell the stories while the firefighters are out takin care of business.

[captstanm1]

The president has spoken. Have your association contact the IACOJ and we will give them the correct definition.


I also like the analogy that ALSFirefighter gives.

[CommDiva]

Women in the Fire Service Inc. (http://www.wfsi.org)


Try this web site, it has some interesting information, and also the text of a speech made by a FDNY Lt Berkman. www.wsfi.org/BerkmanWTC.html

Cheers

Pat Tyrrell (dispatcher, Mississauga Fire)

[SGFDQueen]

Thank you for all of your replies. This helps me out with my argument. Saturday, August 10 is the day of reckoning. Wish me luck!

[SGFDQueen]

Well, the day has arrived, and my letter of request to vote on a name change has been rejected. They claim they did not receive it properly. I sent it through my District Representative(as I was told to do) but in actuality it needs to go to the Secretary. I think it was so kind of them to let me know months after the letter was given. I will not give up, though. Next week when the Secretary return to his hometown, he will receive in the mail a certified notarized letter of intent for next year. This is fine with me as it gives me yet another year to prepare for another battle.

Thank you everyone for your replies and comments.

Shannon

[LouisianaMedic]

Firefighter sounds more professional anyways and I learned something new also.. about the differences between a fireman and a firefighter..

Seems like they don't want tradition to die, even though it had died years ago. I noticed since moving here Louisiana seems still behind the times and other states recognizing females firefighters, and that they are here to stay.. Keep pressing they will have to give in sooner or later... Because if the right person gets a hold of it they will more and likely get sued and will more than likely get lose...

I do believe that not all people can be a firefighter.. Male and female.. If one can do the job let them do their job... Save lives and property...

If you need any help drop me an email.. I live in Denham Springs...

Bob

Also need to state where other's associations have already change their name... FACTS, FACTS, and more FACTS..

[Adélle]

Hallo!
Your story is to say the least outrageous! Even where I'm from, we are called firefighters and not firemen anymore!
I have been in the Service for 13 years and started out as a fireman. In those days (sounds ages ago!) there was no other description. It did not bother me much because I was too busy trying to proof myself in a "man's world"!!

I am an officer in a big department today and we are called Firefighter?EMT's, not anything else. We are only nine senior female officers in the whole department with hundreds of male officers, but at least we are starting out! Those guys who were acting like cavemen towards you should take note that even here, in the Southern point of Africa, we are changing with the times.

Fortunately, there are only a couple of uninformed and very insecure male "firemen" who act like this. The other male firefighters have moved on and are working with female colleagues shoulder to shoulder in order to form a more productive and effective service. They are the true gentlemen deserving of the name. In South Africa we have become masters in working together because of our explosive political past. We have to conform and adapt to be pro-active and form a bigger, better service.

Hang in there. Don't let them get you down. Proof to them that you can be a firefighter without being a man! It does not only take brawns but with new technology, brains has got a lot to do with it.

Regards

Adélle Jerling
Station Commander
Emergency Management Services
CITY OF JOHANNESBURG
SOUTH AFRICA

[AnneThomas]

In my department we're still FireMEN. I've been waiting for the right time to bring the issue up. Do let us know how things turn out. I'm with ya!

[fflynn17]

Our county association voted last year NOT to change its name from firemen's association to firefighters association. I just be quiet and do what I am trained to do. I have also NOT joined that organization. I am qualified to join our Chief's association (we can join as soon as we are an officer, which I am). I haven't decided if I will yet.

[SonicFF]

Hi everyone,
I haven't posted in a while and am a little late in the game here....but whenever a guy says that the name shouldn't matter, I call him from then on a "firewoman". Hey, if the name doesn't matter, he shouldn't mind.

I really think it's about time the good ol' boys gave up the ghost here. The term is "firefighter." Everybody knows it, and to hang on like a pit bull to "fireman" just to be a pain in the rear is archaic and pathetic. Making issues out of little things like this is difficult, but someone has to do it. Shannon, I applaud you for taking the initiative to try to get it changed, especially in the deep south. Remember, for every freedom women have gained, there has been a small group of women willing to stick their necks out and be villified, just to fight for equal rights.

Sorry you're going through this BS. I truly believe that even the little things are important, so keep at it. You're only asking for what is right. And I send a big :rolleyes: to the folks who can't deal with saying such a big word as "firefighter".

Sam

[SGFDQueen]

Sam and everyone elso who has posted:

I thank you for your support and your opinions. I have spoken with a few contacts around the US in the fire service to help me in this endeavor. I have received extensive advice on how to proceed, and I am so pleased by all the responses (whether I agree or not). It is nice to know that you guys and gals everywhere are reading these posts.

I am trying the best way I know to help the fire service represent the entirety of its members. It is a slow process, but I am persistent.

Again, I thank you all and I will keep you aprised of the situation.

My best regards,

Shannon Hurst Lane, Firefighter/Journalist
PO Box 437
Zachary, LA 70791