Women and Firefighters...

[FTMPTB15]

My friends and I were talking the other night and a buddy of mine (who is not in the fire service) who used to play baseball asked a darn good question that I couldn't answer! He said, "In baseball we have girls/women who we call 'Cleat Chasers' because they're in love with all baseball players. What do ya'll call the females who are obsessed with firefighters?" As you can imagine the comments became quite comical, but the best one that I came up with was "Hose Chasers." I was wondering if anyone else had any ideas.. as I certainly drew a blank on that question!

[SAFD46Truck]

Badge Bunnies, Cops have to deal with them too.

[kentbwj]

Slight variation-hose honeys

[distchief60b]

oh boy...... I see this one getting locked down soon!

[DaSharkie]

oh boy...... I see this one getting locked down soon!

I guess I should get mine in now then.........

We always called them "badge buffers." Quite a few girls I knew had a collection of cops, firefighters, EMTs, and Paramedics.

[snowball]

Homewreckers

[fflynn17]

They come in the MALE persuasion also!!

[FTMPTB15]

Originally posted by fflynn17
They come in the MALE persuasion also!!

I'm sorry.. I'm not familar with that!!

[Bones42]

Women that need to get a life.

and for fflynn17, Men that need to get a life.

[MacInnis]

NOt sure what to call them.

I normally call the one that follows me around.

THE WIFE.

[Ladder8]

Originally posted by MacInnis
NOt sure what to call them.

I normally call the one that follows me around.

THE WIFE.

Mac,

I dunno... I'm the one that usually does the following...

...if I know what's good for me that is....


(yes dear...)

[peon30]

must be women who feel sorry for us....cuz we damn sure dont get rich doing this.

[MacInnis]

Sorry to hear that Ladder8

[DaSharkie]

Originally posted by Ladder8


(yes dear...)

Two of the most important words a man can learn in a relationship.

Right up there (shudder) "You're right dear" (usually said in vain to attempt to end an argument.

[CommDiva]

I've always found it fascinating how women go absolutely ga-ga over men in uniform, especially firefighters. For the most part these are 'civilian' women, although I've known of a few dispatchers and paramedics who've (ahem) made their way through the ranks of the fire service. I've only met one man who wanted to date a female firefighter, and I think that was more for the novelty of it!

When these 'hose bunnies' hear that I work as a fire dispatcher, they are all over me with questions about what it is like working with all those 'gorgeous' men, and asking if I can puleeeze get them dates with any of the firefighters. Conversely, if I am at a fundraising or social event with the guys, and these women see me talking to the firefighters, I get the evil eye, or a few snarky little comments just for being friendly with my co-workers. It's almost as if I was invading their territory!! What territory? The little 3X3 square patch of the bar they've staked out? I could write a doctorate thesis on the mating habits of hose or badge bunnies just from attending a week's worth of 911 nights at the local bars!

Just what IS it about men in uniform? I've worked with you, you're just ordinary, regular guys, no different from any other man out there. Sure, you do a dangerous job, one that a lot of other people wouldn't think of, or be able to do, but I don't think it makes you any better than anyone else out there. I am aware that it takes a certain type of person to be in emergency services, but do those particular qualities make a man a better husband and father, than those men who aren't that type?

I read an interesting theory as to why women go for men in uniform, mainly emergency services, the armed forces and surprisingly, upper echelon corporate types (business suits are a type of uniform in the corporate world). It goes back to our Neanderthal days or earlier, where the biggest, strongest men survived and the females chose them as partners and fathers to their children. The females knew that their families were likely to survive if the males were able to protect them and provide for them. Fast forward to the 21st century, and women are still programmed to think that way (at a most basic, brain stem level). Who are the fittest and strongest men out there? Firefighters, police officers, the military men. Who can provide for them? Same fellows, especially with the nice pension plans most of them have! The uniforms provided for these men are usually cut to fit well, which emphasises their fit, strong bodies (another primal message that this man can and will survive!). Even upper echelon businessmen wear nice suits, made to measure, which again emphasises a fit body, and the financial means to support a family.

However, put a woman in these types of jobs, and you won't see the same type of reaction from the men out there. Women in uniform just don't have the same cachet as men in uniform (unless you guys are talking a maid's uniform, and that is an entirely different thread!)

Anyway, that's my 11 cents worth, discuss, argue or flame me at your leisure. Just remember, I still loves ya, uniforms or not!!

Pat

[FireCritic]

Some of the guys I work with might call them homewreckers, however most of them would refer to them as "Strange", if you know what I mean. And yet others might call them another firefighters wife. However I don't care and won't ask so don't tell.

And no I don't think it's "funny to fornicate with loose women"

That's from Ladder 49 I think.

[FTMPTB15]

Originally posted by CommDiva
Just what IS it about men in uniform? I've worked with you, you're just ordinary, regular guys, no different from any other man out there.

That's exactly what my friend was asking... that's the same problem they have (as baseball players)... hince the name 'cleat chasers'

[Dave1983]

Fire Groupies

[Station2Capt]

Looking around right now and I dont see a single woman following me. Wonder what my problem is. Could be too many years crawling around in smoke filled room have taken a beaten on me.

[aklontz]

Originally posted by CommDiva
[B]It goes back to our Neanderthal days or earlier, where the biggest, strongest men survived and the females chose them as partners and fathers to their children. The females knew that their families were likely to survive if the males were able to protect them and provide for them. Fast forward to the 21st century, and women are still programmed to think that way (at a most basic, brain stem level).

Personally, having been the only woman on a crew for quite a while, I think this says it best. Also, I think "badge bunnies"(as we call them down here) are attracted to the turnouts. Some of them may have seen Backdraft too many times for their own good and want to reenact the hosebed scene. Also, for those that seem to go more after EMTs or medics, I think they get a kick out of the idea of getting it on in the back of a bus(never mind of course all the "friends" they could pick up in there). The majority of BB's seem to believe (from my experience with them) that there aren't any risks involved in firefighting, that it's all fun and games. I know I'm ranting and I apologize. This happened again last night though so I thought I would put in my two cents here. It may also be because these women see a possible "catch" as a trophy to show off to their girlfriends. I see the men I work with as just that- men, not "superhero hot turnout guy." It does take a special person to do any job in emergency services, but there's more to that person than just the uniform.

A question for the men out there who have been hit on by badge bunnies: Does it make you feel like a piece of meat?
I'm serious and I'm not meaning to offend anybody here. It seems though as if often these badge bunnies think they're in a supermarket.. "Hmm, I like the marbling on that one, but that one looks nice too. I could just handle them both and see which seems better."