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.

[VRWC_minion]

Maybe I could get you a job as their 'training dummy.':) Just imagine being thrown around by women all day long.

I'll do the CPR training but I draw the line at getting thrown around.

[Navy Patriot]

Lt. Berkman is a good example of why some women should not be firefighters. She is more interested in whining and victimhood than service and rescue. Whining and complaining never helped a fire victim or firefighter stay alive. Courage, training, teamwork, intelligence, strength and resolve have. She should put her abilities to better use.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

Women were there. But, at least on the part of the volunteers, the overwhelming demographic was white male.

Maybe that's because men don't have to toss away their shoes like women did (can't run in heels). Dangerous working in those areas without foot protection. Just a half-*ssed theory.

[white trash redneck]

We could always apply the same PC tactic thats now used when referring to America's wars - simply begin referring to "the men and women who died" when referring to the firefighters who were killed on 9/11

That expression has always stuck in my craw, too. Though I am sure that there have been Army nurses killed in the World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam, keep in mind that the numbers don't even begin to come close to the number of men killed, the women went in as volunteers (they were not drafted), and they went in as officers. To put imply some sort of equality between the young men killed and the young women killed in wartime is obscene.

[Mr. Bird]

''What was most hurtful was to be so invisible at the funerals and memorial services,'' said Berkman, who heads the small women firefighters union. ''The officials giving the eulogies would talk about 'firemen,' the 'brothers,' the 'men.' After 20 years, it was tough to take.''

What kind of sick person laments being invisible at someone else's funeral? I'll tell you what's tough to take after 20 years, Mizz Berkman: your bitching. That's right, it's been 20 years since you so "bravely" fought your battle, and undoubtedly received all sorts of earnest congratulations for succeeding in a "man's world". Let it go you whining shrew. Men are dead. You could do them the highest honor by shutting your fricking pie-hole.

[VRWC_minion]

In the two days immediately following the attack

I wonder why none in the first few hours. Statistically there should have been several there. Why didn't they enter the building ?

[arm958]

I believe these female firefighters secretly wish that at least one of their own had been killed that day. It would have made great PR. She would have had more posthumous fame than all of the dead male firefighters combined. That's what they're really whining about, and it makes me sick.

[ctonious]

Women were there. But, at least on the part of the volunteers, the overwhelming demographic was white male.

That fact is racist. Therefore, Reality itself should be sued for civil rights infractions.

[phasma proeliator]

"I'd comment about women as police officers, but far be it from me to stir the #&*t and create a mega-thread...... 8~)"

OH MAN - Now you've done it.... I was going to go there but thought far be it from me either.

[dead]

The assistant chief in Minneapolis, Ulie Seal, said a key step was developing a physical test that reflected on-the-job demands, not just brute strength.

If you live in a wooden building in Minneapolis, lose weight now!

[MotleyGirl70]

Blah,blah,blah....

Maybe she'll hire Gloria Aldred and sue all MALE firefighters.

(rolling my eyes and shaking my head)...

[Don Myers]

"Why were no women among the 343 firefighters killed at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11? "

What now???? Do they want a repeat of 9-11 with all female firefighters this time? Ok. all you female firefighters, we are starting up a list. Get your names down early. The first ones on the list will be the first to go into a burning and exploding building.

I swear. It has to be something in the water. This many people can't all go crazy at the same time without some external cause.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

I believe these female firefighters secretly wish that at least one of their own had been killed that day.

We'll probably see regulations that demand that a lesbian, a minority and a woman be on active duty at all times, to ensure that there's a possibility one of them could die in the line of duty. Maybe even a lesbian black woman! Three in one!

[arm958]

I believe this female firefighters secretly wishes that at least one of her own had been killed that day. It would have made great PR. The dead woman would have had more posthumous fame than all of the dead male firefighters combined. That's what she's really whining about, and it makes me sick.

[iranger]

Go ahead....stir away!!! While we're at it we can talk about the lowered standards for military basic training and federal law enforcement as well.

[arm958]

Sorry about the double posting - thought I was still in the editing mode.

[diefree]

Brenda the whiner

[wtc911]

The women whom I saw were all dressed for the work they were doing. I think it is just that we are programmed, either by genetics or by culture, or both to respond to danger/crisis in different ways. The women I did see were all regarded by the men without any obvious notice of their gender. It was comforting in an odd way to have a woman hand you a bottle of water, an apple, and offer to wash the dust from your eyes.

As for the shoe comment...my wife was only a few blocks north when the buildings fell. I have always advised her, our daughters and our son to wear shoes that won't fly off your feet. You never know when you might have to fight or run for your life. Can't do either if you are thinking about your shoes. Now she gets it.

[Steve_Seattle]

This is just an aside, but over the weekend there was a fundraiser in Seattle in which firefighters climbed 69 stories in full gear. (I think it was about 1,400 stairs). The winning time was something like 11 minutes and 36 seconds. Amazing - that's about 2 stairs per second with a 50 pound load. It would probably take me six months - stories 1-20, heart attack, surgery, rehab, then flights 21-69.

[Steve_Seattle]

"The dead woman would have received more posthumous fame."

Highly likely.