Firefighter - 2020 - 23

2020 FLORIDA FIREFIGHTER

COMPARISON DATA OF MEN AND WOMEN IN SAME POSITIONS*

95%

87%

97%

95%

94%

Male Chief

5%
Female Chief

13%
Admin/Staff Chief

Captain

3%
Lieutenant

Driver/Engineer

*All the data in this graph was collected from the 18 Florida Fire Departments who responded to our survey request. Results are unscientific.

tend to have more lower body strength. Women can adapt by
building their upper body strength, utilizing their lower bodies
to compensate and develop specific techniques to complete
firefighting tasks. Division Chief Kara Watts of The Villages
identifies with this, "when I was young, I was told that if I want
something bad enough and was willing to work hard for it, then
I could achieve it. I am honored and forever grateful to be a
part of the fire department family." Adopting policies that
encourage firefighters to perform a task in a way that is efficient
for them and gets the job done safely helps to bridge these
physical differences. Department policies and training should
leave room for various techniques instead of enforcing one way
to perform a task.
All firefighters have to meet minimum standards; women
firefighters have to pass the same written test, the same
physical abilities test, and the same promotional exams as
their male counterparts. There is no easy path for a woman in
a male-dominated profession. Fire Chief John Caufield of the
Fort Myers Fire Department points out that "preparing aspiring
officers, especially from under-represented groups, should be an
organizational imperative to support, not impede those who seek
or show promise in promotional opportunities. High caliber and
committed fire officers of all ranks are my primary concern -
regardless of their demographic identity."
While firefighting is still a male-dominated profession, there
are many successful women firefighters at all ranks across the
state. Women looking for a career in the fire service may still
face some frustration and barriers, but with an increasing number

of advocates for women in the fire service, those barriers will
continue to diminish. Women will continue to grow in number in
the Florida Fire Service, building successful careers, finding many
rewards and developing good memories. Departments committed
to developing policies that create inclusion, and creating a safe
workplace where every employee feels they belong will help to
recruit and retain female firefighters. Palm Beach Fire Chief John
Jurgle comments, "it has been exciting to see the rise of women
in the fire service in all capacities and ranks. The knowledge,
professionalism, and different perspectives and views that women
bring to the fire service only enhances our perspective and ability
as a profession to serve better." FSFA
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JoAnne Rice, 29 years in fire service, is
the Deputy Fire Chief for Gainesville Fire Rescue and oversees all
operations of the department. Chief Rice has a Masters of Public
Administration, is a designated Chief Fire Officer, a graduate of
the International Association of Fire Chiefs Fire Service Executive
Development Institute, and a member of the IAFC Human
Relations Committee.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Susan Tamme, 26 years in fire service,
has represented iWomen for over 8 years serving as a regional
chair and on their executive board. She is currently the vice chair
of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Human Relations
Committee. Chief Tamme has her CFO, an MA in Education, BA in
Organizational Studies, and an AS in both EMS and Fire Sciences.
She is a graduate of Fire Service Executive Development Institute
and is active for other national initiatives by the NFPA and NFFF.

Firefighter - 2020

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