During the 1988 United States Vice Presidential debate, Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate Senator Lloyd Bentsen said to Republican opponent Senator Dan Quayle, “I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. And, Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy." Well, I know firemen, and I am no fireman. Why can’t some women realize that they are just not physically capable of being firemen?
Last week, a lawsuit in behalf of women who were disqualified from becoming firefighters because they could not pass a physical abilities test was filed in the U.S. District Court last week, claiming that women are being discriminated against because the Chicago Fire Department’s (CFD) physical agility test is too difficult for them, and they are demanding modifications tailored to women’s abilities be added to the test. The suit claims that the physical tasks required in the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) are not related to the tasks needed to be a firefighter and have an adverse impact on women. Marni Willenson, the lead attorney in the suit, said, "The general feeling is that women ... are too weak to be firefighters. These tests are a tool for keeping women out."
Below, I listed the requirements for passing the CPAT. I defy anyone to tell me which of the tasks listed below are not tasks related to being a firefighter! Not only that, I challenge anyone to point out which of the requirements could possibly have been specifically designed to “keep women out.” These tests might be too rigorous for some women (myself included), but it is completely reasonable to expect every firefighter to be able to perform these tasks. Here is a link to a video of the tests; there is a woman in the video.
(a) The Eight events are: Stair Climb, Hose Drag, Equipment Carry, Ladder Raise and extension. Forcible Entry Simulation, Search Simulation, Rescue Simulation, Ceiling breach and Pull.
(b) The CPAT is a pass/fail test based on a maximum total time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds.
(c) During the testing process, the candidate wears a 50-pound vest to simulate the weight of a self-contained breathing apparatus and fire fighter protective clothing. An additional 25 pounds, using two 12.5-pound weights that simulate a high-rise pack is added to your shoulders for the stair climb event.
(d) Throughout all events the candidate must wear long pants, a hard hat with chin strap, work gloves and footwear with no open heel or toe.
Besides the ability to pass the physical agility test, the other requirements (with my editorial remarks added) for candidates who wish to be a Chicago firefighter are:
(a) Age Requirement: Firefighter applicants in Chicago must be at least 21 and present proof of age and identification with a picture ID such as a driver’s license, and a Social Security card. (Is this discrimination against illegal immigrants?)
(b) Educational Requirement: The minimum education requirement for Chicago firefighter applicants is a high school diploma or evidence of passing a high school equivalency exam such as the GED. (Is this discriminatory against people with learning disabilities?)
(c) Civil Service Test: Chicago firefighter hopefuls must pass a civil service test designed to establish proficiency in basic math, reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary and reasoning skills. (Is this discriminatory against stupid people? What about people with learning disabilities? Can the test be modified for them?)
(d) Valid Driver’s License: Because it may be necessary to drive the fire truck, applicants must have a valid Illinois driver's license and a clean driving history that is free of any convictions of driver related offenses such as DUI or reckless driving. (Is this discriminatory against former alcoholics and bad drivers?)
(e) Residency: Although applicants are not required to live within the city limits of Chicago, fire fighters are required to live in the city upon appointment. (Is this discriminatory against people who cannot afford to live in the city?)
According to the U.S. Fire Administration women career firefighters comprise 3.6% (approximately 11,000) of the force nationally. In Chicago there are 116 women firefighters, which is about 2% of the department.
The two sexes were created differently. Women are better at some things than men are and vice versa. There is nothing wrong with that. Men seem to accept the facts of life, but women are always tilting at windmills and fighting imaginary enemies. Extreme feminists should stop being recusants. Just accept the facts of life. Stay at home and bake cookies. Just don’t set the kitchen on fire.
I don’t disagree that most women are physically incapable of being a fireperson but “ stay at home and bake cookies ”? The only thing that you left out was they should be kept bare foot and pregnant.
ReplyDeleteYou went one sentence too far.
Kathy: My son-in law is a fireman. When he is in a dangerous situation, and he has been in many, he not only wants, but needs someone who has the ability to watch his back. It is often a life or death situation. Can someone(male or female) who cannot pass the CPAT endurance test give him that satisfaction?
ReplyDeleteWe are not talking about Annie Oakley! "Anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you." We are talking about LIFE SAVING SKILLS! I agree with you!
ReplyDeleteTalk about messed up Kathy. Is the firemen physical test different for women than men? (As far as lifting pounds). People was becoming too lawsuit happy
ReplyDeleteHey you never asked me if you could post that pic of me baking in my kitchen! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI still have to watch the video but so far I agree with you that a fireman ought to be able to accomplish those tasks in order to save a life or be able to keep him/herself or their collegues safe. There are women who can do this. I know one in fact who is a firefighter. Just like there are women bodybuilders, iron workers, hockey players etc, if its something someone wants to do they usually have to work towards it. We may have to work a little harder due to our biology but that doesn't mean we cannot do it. I dont think the requirements should change. But I dont agree that the city should issue letters that say a person simply "failed", without giving a detail of which portion of the test they failed at. That seems vague and unfair.
Damn Right!!! Not everything is about a violation of gender rights or equality. So a woman should just pass the test and risk both our lives if I am in a fire and need to be saved. (Shaking My Head). Just as long as a woman becomes a fire fighter. I wonder what women who are firefighters today or have been for years feel about this topic?
ReplyDeletePhysically that's one of the easier pat's. If a woman can't pass that then I don't want her to risk her life trying to rescue me if I go down. I would want someone strong enough to drag me out.
ReplyDelete