UK: Fire brigade relaxes strength and fitness test to make entry easier for women

Submitted by Broadsword on Sun, 2011-04-10 16:55

Article here. Excerpt:

'Fire chiefs have made the 'ladder lifting' tests that all new recruits must go through easier to allow more women and less-strong men into the service.

Previously, potential firefighters had to extend a 100kg ladder by themselves in 20 seconds to qualify.

However, now they are only required to life a 30kg weight over their head.

Strenuous runs, where candidates had to complete increasing fast sprints in what's known as a 'beep test,' have also been scrapped, along with having to carry a 12 stone person 100 yards in less than a minute.'

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Comments

I hate to see standards lowered to allow women.

Some may say this is not sexists as the new lower standards are the same for both genders and subsequently more woman and out-of shape-men are applying . However, if they have to choose between an "out-of-shape man" vs. a female, I bet they hire the female, otherwise they will feel pressure from the 'quota police'.

I'm not familiar with the current job market in the UK, but here in the United States this is the type of job that has a "waiting list" as there are always many applicants. I see no reason to be lowering requirements for a job that has more applicants than positions.

Also there are some jobs, like this, that IMO, are best if genders don't mix and workers are physically similar. The article mentions that even lowering the height requirement has an adverse impact when there is a height discrepancy between firemen performing a group task. (The height requirement was lowered years ago to allow for more women)

Last but not least: If you are unable to get yourself out of a burning building and you hear a fireman (er, I mean fire-person) coming to your rescue, are you hoping for the rescuer to be a man or a woman? (I know what I'd be hoping for)

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Submitted by Kris on Mon, 2011-04-11 04:43

I can't say I really care. What's the worst that can happen? That 90% of on the job fatalities rate for men has to change somehow.

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Submitted by dungone on Wed, 2011-04-13 00:49

the worst that can happen is more (primarily) male fatalities as the firefighters rush into the fires expecting those backing them up of being capable of doing the job, only to discover they got by due to lowered restrictions and can't do the job. Additionally, there will be more deaths as the firefighters no longer are capable of carrying victims out, starting with the heavier victims (IE, men). And just to be clear, this isn't due to "women" being allowed on the force, this is due to anyone being allowed on that wouldn't have made it if not for these reduces requirements. And I agree with height being removed from the restrictions, but strength and endurance are both very much part of the job description, and shouldn't be hand-waved away.

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Submitted by Kratch on Wed, 2011-04-13 05:15

... saving people from being incinerated doesn't.

----------------------
Rise, Rebel, Resist.

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Submitted by MichaelClaymore on Wed, 2011-04-13 06:00