Woman to become NY firefighter despite failing crucial fitness test

[canada-man]

The FDNY for the first time in its history will allow someone who failed its crucial physical fitness test to join the Bravest, The Post has learned.
Rebecca Wax, 33, is set to graduate Tuesday from the Fire Academy without passing the Functional Skills Training test, a grueling obstacle course of job-related tasks performed in full gear with a limited air supply, an insider has revealed.
“They’re going to allow the first person to graduate without passing because this administration has lowered the standard,” said the insider, who is familiar with the training.
Upon graduation, Wax would be assigned to a firehouse and tasked with the full duties of a firefighter.
Some FDNY members are angry.
“We’re being asked to go into a fire with someone who isn’t 100 percent qualified,” the source said. “Our job is a team effort. If there’s a weak link in the chain, either civilians or our members can die.”
Wax’s graduation comes as the city celebrates the FDNY’s 150th anniversary and as the department is under pressure by the de Blasio administration to hire more women.
Only 44 of the FDNY’s 10,500 firefighters are female.
While Wax fell short, two other female probies in the graduating class passed the FST with flying colors.
“They’re kicking butt. They’re doing better than 50 percent of the class,” the insider said. “When they get assigned to a firehouse, they’ll be welcomed with open arms because they’ve done what everyone else has gone through.”
Other female firefighters aren’t pleased about Wax’s treatment, either.
“A lot of the girls in the field are pissed because they feel like they’re getting lumped into the same category of a female getting special treatment and not meeting the same standards as the males,” the insider added. “It devalues what the women in the field have accomplished.”

http://nypost.com/2015/05/03/woman-to-become-ny-firefighter-despite-failing-crucial-fitness-test/

 

[IM469]

As long as they can hold a hose - what's the problem ?

 

[surferboy]

I believe in job equality & all but if you can't pass the test you shouldn't get the job. Btw the FST test is a killer,if they had to carry the manikin up two flights of stairs i'm sure the other two would fail along with a lot of the guys. But there is some women firefighters in Vaughn that make it look easy!

 

[Occasionally]

That's political correctness for ya.

It's like having a construction crew made up of women despite a group of guys having better strength and endurance to do the job.

I can understand the government going PC with more women and racial diversity for sake of soothing angry citizens who may be intimidated by "all white guys". It may be better to have let's say a bunch of black cops in a neighbourhood that has lots of black people living there for sake of racial tensions, even if by chance those black cops had worse test and fitness scores than some white cops.

But firefighting is human vs. smoke and fire.

It should be the more skilled and fit people who get the job. And if it so happens it's mostly guys who get it due to the interest in the field itself and that it involves big time physical tests, then if it so happens to be guys passing the test, then let it be guys who get the job.

It'll be amazing to find out how many applicants got denied getting a job opening despite actually doing well and passing the tests. I wonder if someone will spill the beans. There could be 100 or 1,000 who got shut down though they have better qualifications.

 

[doggee_01]

maybe it's me, maybe it's sexist, maybe i am sexist, BUT if i was trapped in a burning building i want the biggest strongest fitist firefighter there is to come and rescue me and carry me out!

i also feel bad for the ladies that passed the test and got hired kinda belittles there achievment!

 

[The Hof]

Damn it, whether they have an innie or an outie, I want the fittest fireperson for the job, the smartest nuclear physicist, the best prime minister, the delectablist SP, the ..... well.... hmmmmmmmm, ummmmmmmmm, no offence, but the SP job really is kind of a female job. I mean poly, cis, trans whatever is all cool, but maybe I am sexist cause I kind of discriminate when it comes to this really critical role in society.

By the way are there any tests when you apply to become an SP, because I do have some background in Quality Assurance.
You know, in case anyone wants to prep for their exams.

 

[IM469]

maybe it's me, maybe it's sexist, maybe i am sexist, BUT if i was trapped in a burning building i want the biggest strongest fitist firefighter there is to come and rescue me and carry me out!

I agree with you in theory but how many of those firefighters who are heading into their 40's are fit enough to pass the same test ? I have mixed feelings if the test is more like a one time fraternity challenge that one never has to try again. If there are firefighters who are now unfit and physically unable to perform the same test as the girl - is it fair to say she could not be at least as effective on the job as they are ?

No answers - just mixed feelings on this issue.

 

[LeeHelm]

This woman needs to be assigned to the neighborhood of any of the lame brains that made this decision. They also need to be charged with man-slaughter should a civilian or firefighter die if she fails in her duty.

 

[SkyRider]

I agree with you in theory but how many of those firefighters who are heading into their 40's are fit enough to pass the same test ?

Aren't firefighters tested on an annual basis? This subject came up at least once before and one poster defended female firefighters saying that their smaller bodies can get into smaller spaces to rescue small children and small animals (something a 6'3' 220 lbs male might not be able to do because he is too big to squeeze into that small hole).

 

[rhuarc29]

The FDNY for the first time in its history will allow someone who failed its crucial physical fitness test to join the Bravest, The Post has learned.
Rebecca Wax, 33, is set to graduate Tuesday from the Fire Academy without passing the Functional Skills Training test, a grueling obstacle course of job-related tasks performed in full gear with a limited air supply, an insider has revealed.
“They’re going to allow the first person to graduate without passing because this administration has lowered the standard,” said the insider, who is familiar with the training.
Upon graduation, Wax would be assigned to a firehouse and tasked with the full duties of a firefighter.
Some FDNY members are angry.
“We’re being asked to go into a fire with someone who isn’t 100 percent qualified,” the source said. “Our job is a team effort. If there’s a weak link in the chain, either civilians or our members can die.”
Wax’s graduation comes as the city celebrates the FDNY’s 150th anniversary and as the department is under pressure by the de Blasio administration to hire more women.
Only 44 of the FDNY’s 10,500 firefighters are female.
While Wax fell short, two other female probies in the graduating class passed the FST with flying colors.
“They’re kicking butt. They’re doing better than 50 percent of the class,” the insider said. “When they get assigned to a firehouse, they’ll be welcomed with open arms because they’ve done what everyone else has gone through.”
Other female firefighters aren’t pleased about Wax’s treatment, either.
“A lot of the girls in the field are pissed because they feel like they’re getting lumped into the same category of a female getting special treatment and not meeting the same standards as the males,” the insider added. “It devalues what the women in the field have accomplished.”

I don't understand...no one wins in this situation. Wax will be the object of ire, other woman firefighters who actually passed the test will be devalued, and every single firefighter in her station will be risking their lives with a sub-par partner.

This is what happens when you value equal representation higher than equal opportunity.