Firefighter Pregnancy

Why does the fire service have difficulty attracting, hiring, and keeping women on the job? Because in too many fire departments there's still a “gauntlet” that women have to “run” every day! And that gauntlet is not a single challenge, but rather multiple challenges.

So, how much do you know about FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) as an employee? As a supervisor? If you’ve answered, “Not much” in either capacity, there’s a potential for real trouble “down the road.”

I believe that Federal Law does not provide adequate protection to women in the fire service. In other public safety careers, e.g., it can be much easier for a woman to either continue working their normal job or switch to another unit where they can get light duty.  For us firefighters, it is much harder, especially if you are in a smaller department.  Those light-duty opportunities are just not available.