The Virginia Department of Labor predicts by the year 2020 over 50% of the workforce will made up of woman. Over the past 20 years law enforcement has made tremendous gains in recruiting woman to join our profession. The fire professions have attempted to make gains but as still far behind. Over the next few months, Jackson Baynard and I will be exploring the implications of the changing demographics of the fire professions.
We will be exploring these changes from several aspects. The item that easily stands out is the cost of retrofitting the fire stations. Many stations are old and are not equipped with separate bathrooms or bunk facilities designed for men and females.
That is a matter of cost, but there are other considerations. The CPAT test used by many fire agencies to initially evaluate potential employees is extremely rigorous and many people fail to get past this test. This test has been shown to be valid and a predictor of the physical attributes necessary to be successful. Should the test requirements be lowered? Would that endanger people? Because the CPAT test is valid and people from both genders pass, and fail the test, should it continued to be used in its current form?
Once more woman join the ranks of career firefighters will management and supervisory styles need to evolve, of course they do. As woman set the example and move up the ranks how will this potentially impact agencies? A woman will break the ceiling and become a Fire Chief. This will further create more opportunities for woman as professional fire fighters. However, as a pathfinder it will come will its own challenges and rewards.
To anyone, with any understanding of the changing demographics of the work force, it is not the question will woman be joining the ranks of the professional fire fighter. The question to ask, is anyone preparing for the change? We shall see, and I hope we will make a positive change.
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