Do we need more female fire fighters?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-110235 9/A-woman-engine---latest-demand-PC-brigade.ht ml

This is PC gone mad. This is one job that requires a certain amount of physical strength and I don't think the female sex has the amount that is needed.

Anthony Duggan, head of fire services at the Local Government Association, said: 'The fire service needs to be representative of the area it serves. It is important that the fire service attracts more women and ethnic minorities so that it can work more effectively in partnership with local authorities and other organisations to meet the needs of local people.'

What a load of Bull**** If one is in a blazing building does it matter two hoots who gets you out? Or are they saying there is a female trapped send in a female , there is a black person trapped send in a black fireman? where does it end Muslim, homosexual??????

[horselady]

How ridiculous! If I was ever unlucky enough to be trapped in a fire , I would want a strong man who I knew was capable of lifting me safely. I fully appreciate that women should be treated equally in the majority of occupations but not this one. I'm pretty strong and muscly from years of horsey activities and lifting huge hay bales about but I couldn't lift another person and carry them any distance.

[B00]

Oddly enough I agree with you AOG!

Like horselady there, I'd want a strapping firefighter blokey who'd have the muscles to carry me (I'm no lightweight!), and even with flames licking at my ar$e i'd quibble if a woman firefighter could carry me!

[WoWo]

I have no problem with female firefighters, but why does the fire service need to represent the local community?

[derekpara]

BOO. I'm your man !!

Happy New Year.

[rov1200]

They could even bring out a new series.....Fireman Samantha

[Amber63]

This sort of crap highlights everything that is wrong with Britain today.

[ludwig]

Don't worry about it oldgit. They're talking about putting one woman in every crew, so that'll be someone to sit and watch the truck while the others are fighting the fire, and perhaps have a nice cup of tea ready for them when they return.

[craft1948]

Of course you need firewomen - someone has to set the chip pan ablaze, but no more talk of muscular firemen with big helmets or I may suffer from spontaneous combustion!!

[B00]

haha, heyyy Derek!!! Not seen you in ages, you ok petal? Have a Good New Year hon xxx

(apologies AOG)

[joggerjayne]

I don't think there should be "positive discrimination" because then you end up putting unsuitable people into the jobs, just to satisfy a quota

(a quota that was set by some penpusher sitting at a desk, who has probably never been within half a mile of a burning building).

If a woman is physically up to the job, then she should have the same opportunity as a man. But, that's how it is already, I think.

[Booldawg]

When I was on recruits training with the fire brigade, the only female recruit on the course dropped her end of a 13.5 metre ladder which a team of 4 were carry across the training ground. The training Sub-officer looked at the rest of us and said (out of earshot) 'There is room for women in the Fire Brigade, but not on the fireground!'

But then again I've known other female fire-fighters who dig in and do just as much as the blokes. Yes, as a general rule men are physically stronger than women. Due to health and safety in the workplace there's less an less you can do as a firefighter in certain situations. Its all about risk assessment and brigade arse covering in case you get hurt.

The fire brigade is the worst hit service in the country with people taking sick days off. Forget the roughty toughty image, that only exists to sell calenders.

Surely these women are taking exactly the same pre-requisite physical endurance tests on selection as the men?

[horselady]

Booldawg, you have ruined many a female fantasy now! "Forget the roughty toughty image"? Never! There is definitely something about the way firefighters come screeching round the road to the fire station near where I live and then go off in the fire engine, sirens blaring, off to save someone, let us girls have our fantasies! On a more serios note, when I was in a bad car crash a few years ago, the firemen were wonderful, calming, reassuring, cracking daft jokes, very, very kind.

[legendis.god]

Im all for this.


Maybe they would do a topless firewomnas calendar too?

For equality like




BRING ON THE FIREWOMEN


NNEEE NAWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

NEE NAW NEEE NAWWWW NNNEE NAWWWWWWWW

[Eve]

I am all for equal rights but special rights do bug me.

If someone, whether male or female, is up to the job then fair dos but i hate to think of people getting jobs over better candidates purely because of inclusion.

I remember compiling an interview list once and being politely told my selection was not PC enough and there should be an even spread of male and female and those from ethnic minorities.

My priority is to get the best person for the job and it grates that I have to invite people for interview who I wouldn't normally, at the expense of better candidates purely to make up the numbers.

I'd also hate to be called for interview on a similar basis, I'd only want to be called if they thought i was up to the job.

I've encountered sexism as i work in a very historically male dominated area of my profession but I don't make a song and dance about it, I just get on with my job and prove myseld that way.