CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) -- A fire chief has rescinded an order that temporarily prohibited female firefighters from entering burning buildings because male colleagues allegedly threatened not to protect them. City officials said the women refused to cooperate with investigators.
''Our preliminary investigation has indicated that there is no immediate threat at this time,'' according to a written statement by city spokeswoman Joelle Wiley Castelli.
Clearwater Fire & Rescue Chief Jamie D. Geer issued the directive Saturday after learning that the safety of some of the city's nine female firefighters had been threatened because they talked about quitting the local firefighters' union.
Mayor Frank Hibbard said at least two female firefighters claimed to have been told that the next fire they fight could be their last, but the women refused to identify who made the threat.
''We can't follow up on it if they aren't willing to follow through and testify,'' Hibbard said.
Geer did not immediately return a message left early Thursday.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press
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