What can you do to counteract fire service women's media invisibility?

Below is a sample letter of the type WFS sends to media representatives who persist in using the words "fireman" and "firemen" in their reporting. Readers are welcome to use it as a model for letters of their own, or to share it with supportive fire chiefs who might be willing to write letters to local newspapers and television stations.

"As a member of the fire service, I was very interested in your coverage of (… name of event, date of broadcast…). I appreciate your reporting this event, and I wanted to contact you with one particular concern.

"Your (…reporters/ commentators/ news anchor – insert the person’s name if possible…) used outdated, restrictive terminology to refer to the firefighters involved in this incidents. The firefighters were often called 'firemen,' or referenced in other ways that imply that all firefighters are male.

"I must tell you that it is very painful for some of us to be sent the message by the media that, despite decades of committed work in the field, women are not yet an accepted part of that profession.

"Female firefighters have worked alongside their male counterparts for generations, and many have given their lives in the line of duty. Women were on the first responding fire engines on 9/11, and respond every day in most communities around the country. We do not seek fame or glory in doing this work, but neither do we deserve to be made invisible. Surely it is long past time that archaic, gender-specific terms such as 'fireman' fall from use.

"I would ask that your journalists keep this in mind, and be consistent in referring to firefighters as firefighters."

"Sincerely…"

Useful addresses and contact information:

ABC News
77 W. 66th St.
New York, NY 10019
Can be e-mailed directly from their website at www.abcnews.go.com -- use "Contact ABC" link at lower left of page.

CBS News
51W. 52nd St.
New York, NY 10019
Can be e-mailed directly from their website at www.cbsnews.com -- use "Feedback" link at lower left of page.

NBC News
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
Can be e-mailed direct from their website at www.msnbc.com/news/ -- use "Write us" link in small print at very bottom of page.

CNN
P.O. Box 105366
Atlanta, GA 30345
Can be e-mailed direct from their website at www.cnn.com -- use "Contact us" link in small print at very bottom of page.

Fox News Network
Viewer Services
1211 Ave. of the Americas
New York, NY 10035
E-mail:

 

NETWORKING THE WOMEN OF TODAY'S FIREFIGHTING WORLD, AND PROVIDING RESOURCES TO HELP BUILD THE FIRE SERVICE OF THE FUTURE

 

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