I am going to be entering EMT school and seeking my Fire Fighter 1 certification and wanted some advice about equiptment. I want to buy some steel toed boots and was wondering if anyone had some advice about what kind to buy and what to look for. If you have any advice about other equiptment please let me know.

Thanks,

Courtney
San Jose, CA

This week I resigned from the fire service.

After 10 years and making the rank of engineer, I left. I was not harrassed as bad as some, I laughed with the guys, ate with them,watched movies but there was always the underlying theme that I was different. Although I had experienced the same problems most women encounter as firefighters, (can she do the job? why not go into education? And the like) the real problems started when I was promoted and put under a lieutenant that I had never worked with. I was a newly promoted driver and he found fault in literally everything I did.I couldn't even turn into a grocery store without him complaining. If I pulled the air horn he would yank it from my hand.

It was ALWAYS something, I was undermined in front of rookies and challenged in front of the crew.What made that so bad was when he was off I stepped into his position as acting lt. for that day. How could these guys respect me when he was making sure they wouldn't? When I went up the chain of command to the battalion chief, he ultimately became extremely angry, yelling at me and threatening my sgt. bars. I wound up taking a stress related leave of absence using all my vacation and sick leave up, losing pay and when I returned I was moved to a completely different battalion and those 2 officers stayed where they were.

This new Lt. I was under didn't think I drove fast enough and was always on me.One night out on the freeway in the POURING rain he wanted me to pass a gas tanker, get in front of him and get off at the next exit. (we were riding emergency to a minor accident) I refused to do this feeling it was too dangerous and risky so I slowed down got behind the tanker and easily exited the ramp.No time was lost in our arrival on scene but he was annoyed at me and didn't feel like I " had it" and criticised me to me, and to other firefighters and officers.

Then there was the fire captain who I drove a 44 foot ladder truck for him one night to a working fire. I had never driven this truck at night and emergency till this night. He yelled at me the whole time I was enroute then got out went to the battalion chief and criticised my driving in front of everybody at the fire scene so everyone heard him complaining about me. Add to all this how every decision I made as an acting officer was questioned.(why'd she drop a skid load? why'd she call the squad?) Guys with half my time in and had no rank were even critical of me.

It got to be where I started to have serious stress related health problems. I was getting shortness of breath and depression. I loved the job but hated the environment.Then someone said to me, why do you want to work in a place you can't breathe?

The last job I worked prior to being a firefighter, I was made employee of the year. Then I come to the fire service and all of a sudden I can't do anything right. So I left, I tried to figure out a way to make peace with it to make it work but I couldn't so I just clocked out in the middle of my shift last week and left.

Bonnie

Bonnie,

I'm sorry to read you had such an awful time. It truly is unfortunate that the men you were working with were not good leaders. I experienced much of the same thing, to a much lesser degree at my first station. I switched departments, and am pleased to report that there are departments where this bigotry doesn't exist. If you find yourself missing the fire service, I suggest you look to starting at another department.

And if you don't miss it, that's perfectly fine as well. There are plenty of jobs out there that offer the same satisfaction of helping your community and making a difference as the fire service does. That is something else that has occurred to me after being in the fire service for three years -- that maybe waiting around for people to be in need is not the best way to
help a community -- maybe a proactive approach is better.

Take care,

T

I work for the same department as the woman who just quit. She did not mention that we have highly-ranked women who have come up through the ranks. I find it interesting that while they have been in leadership positions there has been no appreciable change in atmosphere within the department. In fact, the number of women on the line has not changed. The more experienced women who have not been supported have moved on to areas other than suppression or quit. If fifty percent of the men in the department had quit or moved on to other areas within the last five years, I wonder if management would recognize that they have a problem.

Additionally, many conversations have been had among the minorities within the department acknowledging that they have moved out of suppression because of the atmosphere in the station. Despite being made aware of some of these situations, management does not seem to see the big picture. In fact, at times it seems as if they do just enough to give the appearance that they are trying to make a change, such as providing excellent conflict resolution training to the entire department. If the department is all white men, and there is diminishing diversity, the need to resolve conflict will not be there.

Are there other women out there who are made to feel like they are crazy because the women who have gone before them do not see, or want to acknowledge, that just because they have made it, that the problems and trials that they faced have not gone away?

I feel that posting on this bulletin board is the only way I can be heard. I am withholding my name for fear of internal backlash.

fyergoddess

I have thought about this for a while and decided to write a reply. I work for the same department as Bonnie, and think everyone deserves to know that there are two sides to every story. The first thing that she mentions is that there seemed to be an "underlying theme that I was different." Well, she put a lot of effort into making herself different. I have been with this department for 6 1/2 years and I have watched Bonnie do an excellent job of alienating herself from the rest. She did "laugh with the guys" and spend time with them but all the while she was taking notes and making entries to be used against them at a convenient time. Bonnie seemed to have a lot of trouble problem-solving with the people she worked with. I personally was interviewed several time about my views of complaints she had made in the stations. Several of which were problems I had also encountered. I have worked in all four of our Battalions, on all three shifts, with a wide range of officers. I have never had a problem arise that I could not go to the "guys" or the officer and say "here is the problem, here is my solution, what do you think?"

I have worked with some of the same officers that Bonnie complained about and I think her representation of the captain in particular is very unfair. This man was over me in rookie school and I have worked with him throughout my career here. He may have poor people skills sometimes, but he is reasonable and willing to listen.

There are a lot of things I could say about Bonnie, but I don't think that would be fair. All I want to get across is that, before you jump on the bandwagon there are always two sides to the story.

Now in response to Fyregoddess, I think she needs to experience some other fire departments. We do have high ranking women in our department. They got there by working for it just like everyone else. No one is ever held back in our department. Our administration goes out of its way to help anyone who wants to help themselves. People need to quit blaming their problems or lack of performance on someone else and take the responsibility for themselves. Our department is as diverse as the applicants make it. We have a large recruiting drive, an extremely easy entrance PT, and all the support you need. I am interested to know which "more experienced women" she is talking about that have moved or quit. Bonnie is the ONLY female that I know that has quit since I have been here. Due to the fact that she was never happy or pleasant that might not have made that decision a bad thing.

You should never be scared of "internal backlash." If you feel strongly enough to write it -- take credit for it!

Mele

A Washington, D.C. based public relations firm is looking for firefighter moms with children under the age of five willing to be potential interviewees for national parenting magazines articles we are trying to pitch.

Please contact Ms. Lyons via email at

Hey fellow firefighters.....I have a question only because it is eventually going to be a problem for me....and I want to prepare for it. I am one of 2 active 15 years of service firefighters in NJ. The other woman has had 3 children and faced biased attack by the men in the dept. Even though we have never had any problems before, they are saying for us to just
go on leave and that's it. We have read that we should have a light duty definition for situations like this. We don't have anything specifically written for even when someone is on injury disability......let alone pregnancy.

What rights do we have when we are pregnant? We are volunteers so do we fall back on state recommendations? Are we still able to maintain a percentage of service via light duty? Are we still allowed to train as long as we feel it is not obstructive to our pregnancy (ie: classroom training vs live burn training)? What experience does anyone have in this area?

Please respond to me directly as I will be able to see it faster. My e-mail address is drsfosterdc@aol.com (I am also a doctor of chiropractic).

Thanks so much!

Renee Foster
Firefighter (hopefully Lieutenant after Dec!)
Green Brook Fire EMS

I recently took the exam to become a Denver firefighter. I passed the exam, then I had to take a video test. The video test consisted of 8 scenarios, and then you rate the answers they ask you regarding the scenarios you just watched. The hiring is done by who scores the best on the video test. I have no information regarding what score is a good score on the video test. Does anyone have any information or know anything about this process?

This website is the best.

Hello, my name is Romona Harris. I'm a a single parent of four, and I live in Orlando, Florida. I'm in the process of trying to attend training to become a Firefighter. I know that the Orange County Fire Rescue and Orlando Fire Dept. offer training. But their classes stay full.

I worked for a fire department for two years in the supply bureau, but left my job because my oldest son became severely depressed and required my undivided attention. But he's better now and I have a job doing clerical work. I know that I'm not cut out to be in the office environment. I miss the Fire service although I wasn't a Fire fighter I participated in a lot of their events. I had the pleasure of making friends with a female fire fighter who introduced me to more female firefighters. You see all my life I thought that firefighting was a boys club. But she and her friends taught me better than that.

My desire is to be a firefighter. I'm looking for a new environment and new career. Does anyone know of anyone who offers scholarships for Afro-American women that want to become Firefighters? I would appreciate any information that could help me. I know I will find a way somehow, because I know I'm destined to be a great Firefighter.

Thank you,

Romona Harris

Hi fellow firefighter,

I am also the first and only female in my department. I`m in a city called Waterford in southeast Ireland. I`ve been a retained firefighter for nearly two years now. I love the job but sometimes feel a bit left outside. The guys are great but tend to keep me at a distance. I found I had to prove to them that I can do the job as well as any of them but I have to work harder both on the fireground and with my fitness training so as not to show any weakness. This can be a strain at times. Can you identify with what I'm saying? Look forward to hearing from you.

Stay safe,

A.M.

Looking for information regarding other career fire dept.'s policies on pregnancy and firefighting/EMS duties, light duty (when and if the employer sets a time limit for when one must go light duty), hazards/risks to the developing child, maternity leave, uniforms (for the size changes), etc.

Any information greatly appreciated.

Kristine Leverich
Madison, WI

Finally, a calender featuring real women working in the fire/emergency services! Grey Ghost Productions is seeking photos of women in the fire/emergency services, both working and daily life on the job.

We need your help! We are asking for your photos to develop a nationwide spectrum of women throughout the industry. This is being designed and marketed by women firefighters dedicated to creating awareness!

Send pictures via e-mail or snail mail. Please include your department, first name and perhaps some info about the photo. All information will be kept confidential and will not be published with photo.

Snail mail:

Hello,

I am looking for some assistance on a "Firehouse Cooks" story for "Better Homes and Gardens Quick and Easy Outdoor Cooking" magazine.

My time frame is short, so I need to hear from someone in the next day or two. Specifically, I am looking for a volunteer firefighter from the east coast or midwest who is a good cook and likes to do outdoor cooking.

She would need to provide me with several quick and easy outdoor cooking recipes as well as a photo or two of herself cooking at a fire station or at home. I will also want to talk with her briefly about firefighting, outdoor cooking, etc.

Thanks for your help. Replies can be made to Suzanne Hall, , or 423-332-4953.

Good Morning, My name is Gina and I'm again trying to get myself in to the fire field. I'm amazed that I never found this site before now. I was a volunteer firefighter for a small rural town, and that department left a very bad impression on me. I was told that I would never make it as a regular firefighter, seeing as how I was a woman.

I never really believed it, but I've just applied for a test here in Portland, Oregon, and now those words are coming back to haunt me. I know that I'm not, by any means, 6'4 and 200lbs buff, but I know that I can do the job. I'm wondering if there are any career women firefighters out there that can give me some tricks of the trade. I'm 5'3" and I know that there are tricks for some of those tests. If you can help please e-mail me.

Thanks in advance,
Gina A.

My name is Stephanie. I am 18 years old. I have been a volunteer firefighter for 5 years now and an EMT-B for almost 3 years. This is probably one of the most inspiring web sites I have ever been to. I just wanted to let you guys know how good it makes me feel to see so many women in the fire service. I also have a question. Does anyone know of a place where I could find scholarships? Anything would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Steph

Hi, my name is Deborah and I'm a career firefighter in Portland, Oregon. I am looking for information from depts. which have any form of a mentoring program for new recruits. My dept. is 700+ sworn firefighters and we do not have any type of program in place to help our new hires adjust to their "new world". I am working on a proposal and formal training guidelines to address this huge hole. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I can be reached @ (503)705-4668.

Thank you,
Deborah

Hi! My name is Allison and I am a 15 year old, high school sophomore girl from Chino, California. I am extremely interested in becoming a firefighter. I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice about how to become a firefighter, what classes would be helpful to take in high school, what type of physical exercises I should do, and anything else that is important. Also, any personal stories of how you became a firefighter would be great. Thank you so much for any help you can offer me.

Thanks again,
Allison

I commend all you ladies that are participating in memorial services. I will attend the National Fallen Firefighter's Memorial Service in Washington, DC on October 6. A few years ago I attended the service and was one of two women in the Honor Guards that year.

Every time I put on my "dress" uniform, I am proud to represent the fire service. I will be honored, yet again, to offer support to the families of ALL the fallen firefighters of 2001, no matter which department they hail from, or whether or not they are IAFF members.

I hope to see other members of WFS in attendance. Thank you.

Shannon Hurst Lane
St. George FD
Baton Rouge, LA
thetravelingfirefighter.com

Hi Everybody!!! My name is Shannon and this is my second time writing in the guestbook. First of all I would like to thank everyone that responded to my posting regarding LASIK... your advice/information was VERY helpful and encouraging. It turns out that my vision is better than I thought... so I won't need surgery.

So I have another question; I am from Ontario Canada and I am trying to get on to departments that are in my Province, but I am really interested in maybe going to the US for jobs as well..in particular the FDNY. I noticed the file for examination is up and I was wondering if it is possible for me to apply as a Canadian without a US citizenship... basically how hard will it be for me to get on the job in the US? Any information regarding the process of applying in the US would be extremely helpful and appreciated.

I hope none of you "take offense" to me applying as I would not want to take jobs away from born & raised Americans..I just want to be a Firefighter regardless of location. Please feel free to contact me directly. Thank you so much ladies for the help....all of you are true inspirations!!!!