I wrote on this topic–lack of representation of women in the fire service–back in 2016 and unfortunately it’s still a topic that won’t go away.
What Does It Mean to Be a Feminist?
A simple definition of feminism is:
- The belief that women and men should have equal rights, opportunities, and treatment.
- Advocacy for policies, practices, and cultural norms that promote gender equality.
Using that definition, I’m very comfortable describing myself as a fire service feminist. And here’s why.
I believe the fire service benefits when it attracts, develops, and retains talented people from all backgrounds. That includes women, who continue to be significantly underrepresented throughout much of the American fire and emergency services profession.
Why the Fire Service Needs More Women
The need for greater representation isn’t about meeting quotas or checking boxes. It’s about strengthening organizations and better serving communities.
First, women make up approximately half of the population in the communities we serve. Yet they remain a small percentage of the firefighting workforce, particularly in operational and leadership positions. When the fire service fails to attract women, it limits its access to a substantial portion of the available talent pool.
Second, diverse organizations are better positioned to solve complex problems, adapt to change, and serve increasingly diverse communities. Effective emergency services depend on communication, collaboration, empathy, technical competence, critical thinking, and leadership. These qualities are not defined by gender, but broadening recruitment efforts increases the likelihood of finding exceptional people who possess them.
Third, representation matters. A fire department that reflects the community it serves can build stronger relationships, foster greater public trust, and make more informed decisions. Women in leadership positions can bring valuable perspectives that help shape policies, workplace practices, and service delivery in ways that benefit both employees and community members.
The Fire Service Culture Must Continue to Evolve
The need for change is also driven by workforce realities. The U.S. Fire Administration has identified firefighter recruitment and retention as one of the most significant challenges facing the profession. As departments across the country struggle to fill vacancies and maintain staffing levels, expanding recruitment efforts to include more women is not simply an equity issue. It is a workforce sustainability issue. Fire departments cannot afford to overlook half of the available talent pool.
Over the past decade, many departments have made meaningful progress in recruiting, retaining, and promoting women. Yet significant challenges remain.
For the fire service to continue moving forward, organizations must embrace a culture in which every member is treated with dignity, respect, and professionalism. We must move beyond outdated assumptions about who belongs in the fire service and focus instead on performance, character, competence, and commitment.
We must also continue to address workplace behaviors that undermine trust and inclusion. Harassment, discrimination, bullying, retaliation, and other forms of misconduct damage individuals, weaken organizations, and erode public confidence. They also create barriers that discourage talented people from joining or remaining in the profession.
Read Next: The special obligation of male firefighters to stop sexual harassment in the fire service
These issues are not “women’s issues”
They are leadership issues.
Creating a healthy culture requires leaders at every level to establish clear expectations, hold people accountable, and model professional behavior. It means addressing problems directly rather than ignoring them. It also means supporting those who speak up when something is wrong.
Culture change doesn’t happen through policy alone. It happens when leaders consistently demonstrate that respect, fairness, and inclusion are organizational values, not just words on paper.
Supporting Women in the Fire Service
I have used this blog as a platform to support women firefighters, both current and future, because I care deeply about the fire service and want to see it continue to improve. Supporting women in the fire service is not about choosing sides. It is about creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed based on their abilities and contributions.
During my 26-year fire service career with the Chesterfield County (Va.) Fire and EMS Department, I had the privilege of working alongside many outstanding women whose professionalism, leadership, and expertise made both me and the organization better. Those experiences shaped my perspective and helped me become the fire service feminist I am today.
And that education continues
Years ago, a colleague shared an observation that has stayed with me. She noted that many people view feminism as an “us versus them” proposition, with women angry at men and men becoming defensive. But true progress occurs when people see equality as a shared responsibility rather than a conflict between competing groups.
I couldn’t agree more.
This has never been about women versus men. It’s about creating a fire service that fully leverages the talents of all its members, reflects the communities it serves, and lives up to its highest ideals.
We’re all in this together.
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