95% of fire fighters...

I heard on the news, Theresa May was whining on about all that is wrong with the fire service. No mention of funding cuts or anything, just picking fault with the fire service.

One of her complaints was about lack of diversity. She gave the example that 95% of fire fighters are men.

Now, perhaps I'm old fashioned. Perhaps sometimes I'm not quite up to date with the latest political correctness rules. But, unless I'm mistaken, women are in fact built slightly different to men. In general (and note I'm generalising because I know there are plenty of exceptions) men grow slightly bigger than women, and naturally have more capacity to build general muscular strength. I apologise if I'm wrong, it's just what I was taught.

If I was trapped, barely conscious in a burning building, and 8 stone of woman risked her life to come in, sling me over her shoulder, and carry me to the paramedics waiting outside, I would be every bit as grateful to her as anyone else. But given that I'm 14 stone, and lighter than many men, I can't help but wonder if there are as many women strong enough to carry me as there are men that could. I know that the fitness test for the fire service is (or used to be) as tough as that of some of the more elite military roles, and I wonder if this might contribute to the fact that 95% of fire fighters are men, more than factors like the alleged bullying and outdated practices that Theresa May was banging on about.

 

00000000000000000000000000015810Hi Clueless,

Sorry but I think you're being sexist here.

These women are trained to the same levels as the men and therefore have as much right as men to apply for these jobs.
I don't think they'd ever employ an " 8 stone " woman to be a firefighter in much the same way that they wouldn't employ an 8 stone man either.

I'd like to know your view on women being soldiers, or in the Navy or RAF.

 

Why does everyone have to be equal these days.
I can think of loads of jobs that women are really great at, much better than men.

Its all gone crazy.
A mate of mine wanted to join the fire service years ago, and went to an open day for recruiting.
He was taken aside and told very quietly.
Dont bother mate, your the wrong colour and the wrong sex, and that was 10 or more years ago

Why they are still going down that road is a mystery.

Just expect a few strikes in the near future.

 

At no point at all did I suggest that women should not apply. In fact I'm pretty sure I said I'd be as grateful to a woman as to a man if they had to save me.


I think I merely drew attention to the fact that generally, women are a bit smaller, and a bit less muscular than men.

Of course we could ignore nature and evolution. In which case yes it would be a surprise that there are more men than women in a role that might involve running with an unconscious fully grown man on their shoulder.

 

Should be interesting when the retirement age hits 67 and the firemen struggle to get themselves out of their truck never mind fight a fire.
Of course most stations will be closed down and the remaining engines will only go to those who pay extra for their "service".
Isnt it just super being British nowadays ?

 

there are instances where a small body frame can be of use to squeeze into tight spaces and maybe save a child...?

 

@clueless1 as you are probably aware Kev was in the fire service retained for 16 years, he gave 110% 100% of the time, I couldn't begin to name every party he missed, dinners out, days out etc etc to keep the fire engine on the 'run'. I support the firemen in their jobs, regardless if they are male or female, both sexes have roles, remember Firemen don't just go to burning buildings, they go to traffic accidents, cats stuck up trees, etc etc, sometimes it's rather helpful to have a women on the fire/accident scene.

Just a little true story to make you giggle! A fire station had a new female recruit, she was happy to muck in with the boys including getting changed in the communal area, after a few changing insidents the leading fireman bought her some 'full' knickers! Apparently her thongs were disrracting the boys!!! I can't say anymore than that but I can tell you it's a true story!

 

A fireman/woman are not actually allowed to go into a burning building anymore unless there's a life at danger, it's quite possible that a woman could have a smaller frame & get into small spaces, but no matter how big the fireman was they would get someone out alive if they possibly could .
I think we are really lucky to have our emergency services