Diversity
I’m STILL a Fire Service Feminist!
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…
Firefighter Camps for Girls in 2026
This post originally appeared back in 2020, so I know that it likely needs updating. If your firefighter camp for girls is listed, please make sure…
Today is National Employee Resource Group Day
By: Stephanie White, Firefighter/Paramedic and Guest Blogger Or at least that’s what my LinkedIn feed is telling me [National Employee Resource Groups Day 2024 was November…
An Epiphany About Diversity and Inclusion in Organizations
I recently had one of those “I never thought of it that way,” moments about diversity and inclusion in an organization, particularly fire departments, because I did serve with the Chesterfield (Va.) Fire and EMS Department for 26 years before retiring as a battalion chief. See if any of what I'm about to share with you “strike's a similar chord.”
Non-Dominant Group Members Need Champions, Not Just Mentors
The key difference between mentors and sponsors is that mentors are “one-way streets”, giving their chosen mentee a gift of wisdom, time, and advice. Sponsorship requires reciprocity and commitment; sponsors serve as champions.
The Diversity “Dog Whistle” in the Fire Service
Last time I checked, it's 2019. Isn't it about time to retire the diversity "dog whistle?" Why is it that so many white males in the fire service still hear "diversity" and their Pavlovian Response is "Diversity is fine, but not at the expense of quality and competence?
Build inclusiveness in your fire department and they will come
By: Marlene Kostyrka, Assistant Chief, Charleston (SC) Fire Department As I scroll through social media these days there seems to be a glaring issue with people…
Men could stop sexual harassment in the fire service tomorrow
Update: I’ve updated this post because I was moved by the courageous post I read today from a fire service…
Why aren’t fire departments getting better at inclusion?
So, I was on the road headed towards FDIC 2019 in Indianapolis and some random thoughts began running through my…
Women in the Fire Service: Carrying the Burden of Being Female
So, if a strong and articulate and bright woman can feel like this over the course of her career (Remember, she rose through the ranks and retired as a captain), how are other women dealing with these issues and anxieties?
Camp FFIT gives real fire service experience to young women in Ontario
They learn that to truly be successful in this career—especially for a woman—you have to be physically fit and mentally sharp at all times. ‘Cause as a firefighter you’ve always got to have your eyes and ears open and taking it all in, and if you don’t you could get yourself or someone else seriously injured or killed.
The role of scholarship in fire and emergency services
Chief Avsec highlights the importance for scholarship and research in the fire service with this post that features a new research paper from Firefighter Lydia Wilcox on the topic of women entering the fire service in Ontario, Canada.