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.

[white trash redneck]

Comment from "Best of the Web:"

What a Martyr

Lt. Brenda Berkman is a member of the New York City Fire Department. She was not among the 343 firemen who died on Sept. 11, but she wants the world to know she's a victim anyway. "What was most hurtful," she tells the Associated Press, "was to be so invisible at the funerals and memorial services. "The officials giving the eulogies would talk about 'firemen,' the 'brothers,' the 'men.' After 20 years, it was tough to take."

The FDNY is more than 99.75% male, and 100% of the 343 firemen who died were male. AP informs us that Berkman "had to sue her way into the fire department," Maybe she should bring a right-to-die suit. The FDNY is more than 99.75% male, and 100% of the 343 firemen who died were male. AP informs us that Berkman "had to sue her way into the fire department," Maybe she should bring a right-to-die suit.

[The Old Hoosier]

Waaaaaaa!!!!!! Waaaaaaaaaah!!!! I'm a victim too!!!!!!!!

[Semper Paratus]

The People's Daily aka Boston Globe had another tear jerker about same-sex partnerships
getting shortchanged on the cash disbursments to families directly impacted by 9/11.

[The Old Hoosier]

This woman is a disgrace to her profession.

[phasma proeliator]

Minneapolis.... lowering the standards to allow for "political correctness".

at least that's what I read...

[camle]

give them some cheese to go along with the whine.

[balrog666]

Lt. Brenda Berkman is a member of the New York City Fire Department. She was not among the 343 firemen who died on Sept. 11, but she wants the world to know she's a victim anyway.

Fire the bitch!

[Wild Irish Rogue]

9/11 showed the world that you need brute strength to carry a hundred pounds of equipment,up 110 stories-with no excuses or special exemptions. You need brute strength to lift heavy pieces of steel, searching for victims- with no excuses or special exemptions. Excuses and special exemptions on physical fitness requirements, cost lives.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Minneapolis . . . lowering the standards"

That's how it looks to me - looks like a quota job all the way.

[JennysCool]

This has GOT to be the sorry apex of feminism -- complaining because your opportunities to die are fewer than those of men in your profession. The feminist agenda, once nobly-intended, has become sheer, unmitigated insanity.

[weikel]

Blah blah blah feminist claptrap their called firemen outside the media for a reason.

[Colonel_Flagg]

I'm 6'3" and weigh 220 pounds. If I'm unconscious in a burning building I would like the firefighter tasked to save my life to be able to lift me, or at least to be able to drag me.

If I die because that firefighter isn't able to meet the physical demand of carrying my body, the lawsuit filed by my survivors will be breathtaking. But at least my death will be politically correct.

[VRWC_minion]

Was there anything stopping her or other women from immediately volunteering when the planes hit ? I thought I remember that some firefighters were off duty when they reported.

[phasma proeliator]

"lowering the standards"

and I could/should have added "and putting lives in danger at the same time"....

[Rome2000]

I'm a fire inspector and have seen a few of the women firefighters, they were in excellent shape.

I say never lower the physical standards, but if the women pass, they should be able to join.

The bottom line why the NYFD has so few women is they never lowered the standards. Those other cities have.

[skeeter]

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.

[phasma proeliator]

"I'm 6'3" and weigh 220 pounds. If I'm unconscious in a burning building I would like the firefighter tasked to save my life to be able to lift me, or at least to be able to drag me. If I die because that firefighter isn't able to meet the physical demand of carrying my body, the lawsuit filed by my survivors will be breathtaking. But at least my death will be politically correct."

6'2" 240 - and what you said... NO SH*T!