Women firefighters say Sept. 11 has made their profession wrongly seem all male

Boston Globe ^ | 18 Mar 2002 | David Crary

[white trash redneck]

NEW YORK (AP) The question is awkward to ask, but not hard to answer: Why were no women among the 343 firefighters killed at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11?

Numbers tell the story. Nationally, roughly 2 percent of professional firefighters are female. In New York City, women account for just 28 of 11,400 firefighters less than 0.3 percent.

[kstewskis]

Incidentally, she says most firemen are Democrats. I was flabbergasted. Is that true? I didn't argue with her because for all I knew she was right. Maybe she's thinking of Fairfield County, Connecticut firefighters(that's where she lives). Anybody have figures on this?

Oh is she off on that!! Most (if not all) of the firemen and their families that my father, grandfather, and brother in law are/were working or associated with were all conservative....and that's within LA County/City borders.

Can't speak for Connecticut, I'd like to hear that one.

[Neets]

I remember your posts now during 9/11 and your comments about your daughter....so sad,,, my condolences...having lost quite a few from my immediate area, I share her pain.

[kstewskis]

I'm sorry, but these DAMN women (and I'll say it, because I am one...pardon the unlady-like comment) have got to pull their heads out and figure out that it's "not about THEM".

Every fireMAN who went to the WTC did so without a second thought...it was their JOB. Period.

This pathetic woman is a complete disgrace to the FDNY, and perhaps other female firefighters around the country who show up to "do their job," with honor, and without fanfare.

[jackbill]

This woman is a disgrace to her profession.

Does this tell you anything?

Berkman, who heads the small women firefighters union.

[VermiciousKnid]

"This woman is a disgrace to her profession."

"This woman" does not HAVE a profession. She sued her way onto the Fire Department, she never passed the physical exam, and I'd bet a week's pay that 1) she has spent most of her time since 1982 safely ensconced in a firehouse that hasn't seen a serious fire in 10 years, and 2) somehow she passed a lieutenant's (written) test & they were forced to promote her because of some "diversity" thing. I do know that she is routinely trotted around the globe talking about how wonderful she is.

As far as I know, all the women currently in the FDNY got there by hanging onto "this woman's" litigious coattails. If I am wrong about this, I'd be very surprised, as any woman who got onto the force on her own merits would surely have made the news bigtime.

Since the FDNY successfully fought to reinstate their original physical standards, I don't think there has been even ONE woman who has even passed the test, let alone scored high enough on it to get her on an academy list. It's just too bad the Police Department didn't fight as hard as the FD -- the physical standards at the PD are a disgrace. Anybody could pass them, and that just shouldn't be.

Regards,

[Catspaw]

The most difficult thing the firefighters will face--and that's not just the FDNY, but firefighters nationally--will not be the anniversary of 9/11, but the annual ceremony they have at the National Fire Academy in Emmittsburg, Maryland to honor firefighters who have lost their lives in the past year. President Bush went to the ceremony last year and I do hope he goes this year. It's going to be wrenching.

I know the ceremony is held in fall, but I haven't found out the exact date. When I do, I'll let you know.

[Catspaw]

Oh is she off on that!! Most (if not all) of the firemen and their families that my father, grandfather, and brother in law are/were working or associated with were all conservative....and that's within LA County/City borders.

That's been my experience, too. Primarily conservative--like the freeper's own BCM, who died at the WTC. Dems are not the norm in the firehouses I've been in.

[gratefulwharffratt]

the line forms on the far right

Sorry, Ratts don't wait in line, Jackals do.

On to greener pastures, with shorter lines.

[2Trievers]

You are a very, very wise Ratt! What was your IQ again? Votre sagesse est au delà de vos années. &;-)

[iranger]

I share her pain

Reminds me of one WJC.

[gratefulwharffratt]

Votre sagesse est au delà de vos années

I don't have too many years behind me, so it is not too hard to be wiser than that. :-)

My IQ is in the high two digits.

Harumph!!

[Catspaw]

Here's the announcement of the memorial service. It was broadcast on CSpan last year. I hope President Bush speaks again, and I do hope Rudy is invited.

Release No.: 02-019
Release Date: March 5, 2002

National Memorial Service to Honor Fallen Firefighters

Emmitsburg, MD - The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation today announced that the Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service honoring firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2001 will be held in Washington, DC, on Sunday, October 6, 2002, at the MCI Center.

"The unprecedented number of firefighters being honored this year will necessitate our moving the memorial service from the site of the National Fallen Firefighters Monument in Emmitsburg," stated Foundation Chairman Hal Bruno. "The loss of every firefighter is a national tragedy, and this year’s service will honor those who died at the World Trade Center along with those who made the ultimate sacrifice across the country."

Families of the fallen firefighters and fire and emergency services leaders will join federal, state, and local government officials in this year’s tribute and other events honoring the fallen fire heroes and their survivors. One day will be set aside for family activities. Sunday will feature honor guard parades, remembrances of our lost heroes, and special tributes during the public memorial service. Thousands are expected to join in America’s day of tribute to the fallen fire heroes.

Each October a grateful Nation honors its fallen fire heroes during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. This year will mark the 21st observance of the national tribute and will include the largest number of fallen firefighters killed in the line of duty in the history of America’s fire service.

The Foundation will release additional details on the Memorial Service and related events announced as soon as the plans are finalized. For more information, contact the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation at 301-447-1365 or visit their web site at www.firehero.org.

[2Trievers]

Well then, you'd be no match for this fellow who claims a Menosian IQ and alleges that he is the final word on matters of politics, faith, micro-chips, life and love ... all the while posing as a 22 y/o college student ... playing head games with women and men ... the problem is he thinks NO ONE has noticed this ... and he has said despicable things while claiming they were done in "humor." That's the best part ... finding out who's got the last laugh. He is exposed. Naked for all to see. Suddenly how insignificant he becomes. How transparent. Of course he'll immediately claim STALKING and with a twitching finger aim for the abuse button ... when it should be seen only as reporting ... like Fox News ... "We report, you decide." A search for the truth. The saddest part ... he is one of us. Therein lies the Faustian tragedy. Deals made with the devil.

The lesson ... caveat lector.

[MadIvan]

I would suggest that Faust was an idiot - in Marlowe's Dr. Faustus, the bargain was 24 years of pleasures (and the services of Mephistopheles) for an eternity in hell. Faustus did indeed twist himself into mental contortions to suggest this didn't matter, but in the end, he sold eternity for a brief fleeting pleasure.

Ergo, a Faustian bargain can indeed be called a "stupid" bargain. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[GussiedUp]

This woman is a disgrace to her profession.

That woman should not be in that profession. As 9/11 glaringly showed us - firemen must have incredible upper body strength and we alraedy know the standards (to save human lives) is always lowered when women are included. And yes I am a woman.

[GussiedUp]

"....pulling a 165-pound dummy". Many people, particularly large men, weigh more than 165 pounds. And "pulling" bothers me. A female fire person (see how PC I'm being), therefore, cannot pick up a 165-pound or more person, so she's going to drag the person. Well I live in a house that has a rather long staircase. So she can't pick up my husband who weighs a little over 200 lbs., therefore, she'll drag him down the staircase! As a woman, I recognize my lack of strength. If I decided I wanted to join any Fire Department, it would be as a person capable of doing something where I'd make a contribution, e.g., cook, clean, paperwork or answering calls.

Well said. I am also a woman and have never in my life - inside and outside of the military - known a woman who could even pick up 165 pounds, much less pick up and carry 165 pounds.

[VRWC_minion]

Given 28 out of 11,400 are women with 343 deaths, and assuming men and women firefighters have an equal chance of dying, and that each death is independent, I come up with a 42% chance that there are no female deaths.

If 348 died at the WTC then there should have been a much greater number than 343 present and there should have been at least 1 female there if not more. Assuming those who entered the building had a 100% chance of death, there is a good chance that there were females present and none of them entered the buildings.

[mickie]

What in the heck are women doing in the fire house........more PC crap, I'll say!

ps......I don't like your screen name.

[gratefulwharffratt]

you'd be no match for this fellow

How could I ever hope to compete???

Woe is me...

:-)

[Capt.YankeeMike]

huh, 5'-11" 220lbs and I am still a big sack of taters to try and lift.....