I was a firefighter and I can tell you that this isn't exactly true. I won a lot of respect becauase I worked very hard as a volie (no pay whatsoever) but I worked out harder than most everyone I knew. I loved being in a ladder company but it's hard work for a woman and I couldn't imagine doing that work whilst pregnant or something.
The only thing that men can do that I envy, is their ability to pee outside with little bother.
I was told once that there would never be an all women firefighting team because they can't handle the equipment on their own....Is that true?????