Women and the Fire Service

ACE 226 (David McKinley)

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Aug 20, 1996, 3:00:00 AM8/20/96

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Hi all, I have a question. Since many of you have females working with you, I
hope that you can shed some light here.

Our city is holding a recruitment competition for the Fire Department at this
time. There were several women who applied, but none got an interview. There
have been questions raised as to whether the tests are fair for women.

Do women trying to join your department have to take the same tests as the
men? Are the minimum standards the same for both?

Comments please.....

Dave

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
David McKinley (ACE 226)
ace...@mis.ca
http://www.mis.ca/dialin/ace226
When seconds count, count on Firefighters!
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ACE 226 (David McKinley)

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Aug 21, 1996, 3:00:00 AM8/21/96

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Hi all, I'm looking for some info. Our local Fire Dept is holding a
competition for new firefighters. Several women have applied, but none made it
to the interview. The question has been raised as to whether it's fair for
women to have to take the same tests as men.

What do your departments do? I would especially like to hear from people with
female members to hear their story.

L8R

Rodney & Michele Blaylock

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Aug 22, 1996, 3:00:00 AM8/22/96

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All individuals testing for positions on our department are required to
take the same tests, including written, physical agility, and an oral
interview with members of the fire board.

In my opinion, and I'm sure I'm gonna take some flak for this, the tests
should be the same, since the job isn't any easier for a woman than it
is for a man.

Just my two-cents worth.

Rodney Blaylock
IAFF 1562

Dwayne Rich

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Aug 22, 1996, 3:00:00 AM8/22/96

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> Do women trying to join your department have to take the same tests as the
> men? Are the minimum standards the same for both?
>

Yes they are required to pass the same test as anyone else. Why should it be
different? A house fire doesn't know if you are male or female.

--
Dwayne
dri...@interpath.com
_________________________________________________________________________

NC Firefighter II/NC EMT-Defib/NC HAZMAT Operations/ NC Basic Rescue Tech
Ham Operator KC4ADW QRP-L#336
"Strive For Perfection Settle for Excellence"
_________________________________________________________________________

Marsha Present

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Aug 23, 1996, 3:00:00 AM8/23/96

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>Our city is holding a recruitment competition for the Fire Department at this
>time. There were several women who applied, but none got an interview. There
>have been questions raised as to whether the tests are fair for women.

I have a question for you. What were the steps prior to the actual interview?

>Do women trying to join your department have to take the same tests as the
>men? Are the minimum standards the same for both?

>Comments please.....

Regardless of tests, when you actually do the job - the hoses weigh the
same, the pressure on those hoses is the same, all equipment operates and
weighs the same no matter what the gender. IMHO, the test should be equal,
and the best person hired for the job (man or woman). Based on what I know
of the departments in my area, everyone takes the same test.

Thanks,

Marsha

Health and Safety Specialist
Environmental & Physical Safety
mpre...@uh.edu

Tom Humphrey

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Aug 23, 1996, 3:00:00 AM8/23/96

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The standards are the same for both men and women, The job they do is
the same.

Darrin Lee

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Aug 23, 1996, 3:00:00 AM8/23/96

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I guess the answer as to whether a woman should get the same test as a
man could be answered possibly with a look on the logical side...
Does the fire burn the same if a woman is putting it out???

Darrin Lee

}
} Hi all, I have a question. Since many of you have females working with you, I
} hope that you can shed some light here.
}

} Our city is holding a recruitment competition for the Fire Department at this
} time. There were several women who applied, but none got an interview. There
} have been questions raised as to whether the tests are fair for women.
}

} Do women trying to join your department have to take the same tests as the
} men? Are the minimum standards the same for both?
}
} Comments please.....
}

Joella Collier-Flory

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Aug 23, 1996, 3:00:00 AM8/23/96

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All our tests are the same for men and women. To the best of my knowledge,
the surrounding jurisdictions are also the same.

Joella
Deputy Fire Marshal
Central Fire Protection District

MarcelMan

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Aug 27, 1996, 3:00:00 AM8/27/96

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In article <m0uu41f...@datel.com>, Darrin Lee <dar...@datel.cts.com>
writes:

>} Do women trying to join your department have to take the same tests as
the
>} men? Are the minimum standards the same for both?
>}
>} Comments please.....

All the same, male or female.

Manny Marcel
F/F, Merrimack, NH