Does the Fire Station Have a Glass Ceiling? Perceptions of Female Firefighters

This research examined perceptions of 338 female firefighters in the United States. Specifically, respondents answered questions on if they would pursue a career in the fire service again, if they would advise a daughter or family member to join and if they were treated as equals by male firefighters. Additionally, female firefighters were asked if they achieved more acceptance from males based on length of time on the job and if physical requirements unnecessarily limited female firefighters. A significant majority of female firefighters indicated that they enjoyed their careers, would advise a daughter or family member to join and that the longer they were on the job, the more acceptance they gained from male firefighters. Significantly more female firefighters disagreed that physical requirements to be a successful firefighter limited females. A significant majority of retired female firefighters disagreed that they were treated as equals by male counterparts. Recommendations included repeating this survey in three to five years and studying sexual harassment in the fire service. Future researchers should also examine mentorship of women and minorities, and the acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) firefighters in the fire service.