Institutional Barriers

There are many obstacles that women face when being involved in fire and other emergency services. I want to take a look specifically into the actual institutional barriers that set women back in the fire service. Obstacles that women have no control over and are not set up with women in mind; meaning that these different regulations and other “codes” are not established with thought about catering to women.

Many fire stations across the United States are not built to accommodate women. Sleeping areas, bathing areas, changing areas, and restrooms are many times built for one sex and women are forced to deal with the situations handed to them. You would think that this would not be still happening in this day and age but it is. Especially because most fire departments are government funded and they above all should be providing a good work environment for all of its employees.

There are many other institutional barriers against women in the fire services. For example, there are inadequate policies against reproductive safety and fire fighter pregnancy, and also lack of information about safety and risks with fire fighting affecting pregnancy. Also, the way in which hair and grooming policies are set up based on male tendencies and not accommodating for women. Bunking gear and all other equipment issued to fire fighters are made to fit men and not fitting for women to wear; which also could lead to safety issues. A lack of child care options for female fire fighters is also another issue as they work 24 hour shifts and finding child care is difficult for that kind of a schedule.

These are issues and obstacles that women face all of the time in this line of work and they are not necessary. It is ridiculous that women still face these barriers within their workplace in present time, and especially considering that most of these departments are publicly funded; meaning that if the government is not taking the proper actions in providing for their employees, then who will.