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			TAKING THE HEAT: The First Women Fire Fighters of New York City

Tell us what you think about TAKING THE HEAT: The First Women Fire Fighters of New York City.

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06/30/2009

A member of my family is a firefighter (female) and has suffered harrassment, bullying. intimidation, obsceneties etc, and after attending a course recently is now confident enough to answer back and know her 'rights'.

10/03/2007
Marissa

Researching for my Introduction to Fire Science term paper, I stumbled upon your film website.I was looking for a topic that would be controversial. A supportive co-worker suggested Women in Fire Service. How exhilarting it is to hear from all these strong and courageous women in fire service. I've wanted to pursue firefighting since 2003 but have had many obstacles to overcome. Currently, I am a working EMT w/3 years experience w/a local private provider. On the job, I train our new EMT's, mostly male, who are prospective fire applicants. Working w/some men who are very chauvinistic, and caring for patients who doubt that I can lift or carry them up or down stairs. Thank you for the support thru your lives and materials. My 2 children see the possibilities that women like myself can work in non-traditional male oriented jobs and their classmates have been amazed when I bring our ambulance to school for a demo. I am so proud of all women in fire service and EMS. My respect goes to you for your emotional battles in fire service even with brothers whose lives you're prepared to save.

09/24/2007
Lou Blazquez
Munds Park, AZ

As a middle school teacher, I notice that youngsters are exposed to material that too often has males for heroes. This is a film that shows courage and guts in females in a real way. This is what women can do. This ability is ANOTHER reason why they should be respected. Their humanity is ANOTHER reason why the should not be humiliated.

As a Tae Kwon Do instructor, I must give a side lesson that is not publicized. Young and adult males (even those with inferior skills) "take it easy" on females. Women already have the right stuff. What they need is the real stuff--from males who, because of society's influence, throw half-hearted techniques. I must intervene as a result.

Cubby Fitzpatrick, Brenda Berkmann, and company, you are American heroes. You didn't just put out the fires. You put out the misconception. Your suffering, your emotional damage has meaning and inspiration.

Rochester, NY

You have no idea what a relief this film will be to all women who have been or who wish to serve their community in the fire department. The Rochester Fire Department is so bad they have to send women to a different fire academy outside of Rochester because the men in the academy will sabotage them right from the start. I left the department 2 years ago because the abuse got to much for me. And when it does get to be too much, they just say you are "crazy", they never want to admit how violent they are.

Jesse J. Gardner
Philadelphia, PA

I look forward to this film. I painted Lt. Brenda Berkman's portrait in 1993 as part of my "Unsung Heroes" series, on the day the World Trade Center was attacked the first time. Her company, which was located in Brooklyn just across the bridge, was first due in. I asked her if she wanted to cut the session short to go to the scene, but she declined. Always the consumate professional, she knew that the correct procedure was that the firefighters on duty were the only ones who should be present on the fire scene. I only wish cooler heads like hers had prevailed on September 11, when scores of off-duty firefighters jumped on trucks to be at the scene of a potentially enromous fire, and subsequently lost their lives.

Judy Hamilton
Fayetteville, NY

I am so excited to see this film!!! I am gathering local women firefighters to watch it together. I am doing research on women firefighters and would love to talk to the woman from the Rochester Fire Department. Could you please email me?

FF Browning
Clayton County GA

How wondeful is this! I am a proud member of my fire department. We currently have 14 women and all the men treat us with total respect. I wish though the stories i " still hear" today weren't happening. The other day i was driving the Quint and a man in a truck pulled up beside us and said " I never knew they'd let a woman drive that thing!?"...MY Lt. leaned over and said " Yeah, woman also drive dump trucks, 18 wheelers, UPS trucks & Garbage trucks got anything else to say to my Firefighter? Keep your head up Ladies, there not all bad.

Josefina Sanfeliu
Brooklyn, NY

Capt. Brenda Berkman is the commander of Engine 239 (4th Avenue Express is the first-due engine for my 110yo wood-frame house). I got to know her and many other firefighters and officers after 9/11 but especially when FDNY closed six engine companies in NYC in 2003. Some of the Bravest firefighters carry 100lbs. of gear, some work with heavy hoses charged with water, sometimes in F5* sleet or in F95* heat or in subway tunnels, sometimes rescuing an unconcious heavy stranger, sometimes escorting a gurney with somber dignity and compassion. Some are National Guard or Reserves and left then came back. I want 343+3 listed separetely at WTC Ground Zero Memorial and taken out of debris. I want my taxes to get them smart gear, good radios, firehouse bathrooms, and elected or appointed officials who see how hard they work to keep safe each other and us and our homes and pets. 24/7/365 worldwide - my life is in the hands of male or female paid or volunteer firefighters who will never ask my age, gender, status, ethics, income. They will come for me. It is a job but looks like love to me. My tribe wear blue and rides red horses.

I just wanted to say what an insperational film this was to see. I am a volunteer firefighter and EMT in my home town. I am one of about four women in my company and one of two who have taken up firefighting. The men at my station are all very supportive but in the begining it was hard to gain their respect. I just like any other man had to prove myself loyal to this way of life. I love what i do and encourage anyone to get involved. I am also proud to say that i am currently attending GMU, GO PATRIOTS, to further my career in pre hospital care to become a flight nurse. I hope that more women come into this feild...comon ladies we need to show these men just how much heat we can take!

Chaz Mena
Astoria, NY

This was great television. Please know that there are men that are very happy to see women in the uniformed services. My own background was full of machoistic jingoism (like the retired firefighter who said about women firefighter were like "him working at fixing nails.") and part of my own maturity was liberating myself from ridiculous notions about women. God bless all the women firefighter in NYC and the rest of the country!

Georgia Guida
Brooklyn, NY

I have always loved firefighters. I never knew before seeing this amazing broadcast just what women firefighters had to go through to get hired and to keep their jobs. I'm retired now, but in my next life I plan to be a firefighter. What an inspiration! I am so proud of these trailblazers!

Julie Campbell
London, Ontario, Canada

What a truly inspirational story! I hope those women know that the struggles they endured in their fight for equality have not gone unnoticed. Do women belong in "traditionally" male jobs? Absolutely. Professional limitations facing women are more about outdated social expectations and prejudice than a lack of qualifications. So to all women who have bravely gone where they were told they could not go: thank you.

Ruth McConnell
Littleton, CO

I just finished watching the program "TAKING THE HEAT: The First Women Firefighters of New York City," and I was absolutely amazed. I was amazed by the determination and courage of those women who struggled so hard to be firefighters, just as I was amazed by the stalwart resistance to women in this field. As a woman who graduated from a military academy 10 years after women were allowed to enter, I have a taste (albeit a small one in comparison) of what it is like to be told you can't measure up because you are a woman and then to not be accepted even when you do prove your ability. I honor these women who defied convention and demanded the right to be given the chance to show they were able to do the job. The question, do women "belong" in dangerous or "traditionally male jobs," should not be asked. Women have the right to apply and prove their capability in any job just as a man. The justifications "that's the way we've always done things" or "that's what's acceptable in our (male dominated) society" should never be used to defend or validate discriminatory policy. If a woman (or any person for that matter) proves he or she can do the job, the job should be theirs. Someday, hopefully, all Americans will accept each other and recognize each other's worth without the need for a court order.

Janet Atkins
San Antonio, TX

Thank you for providing a valuable learning opportunity. I admire the sustained courage of Captain Brenda Berkman and the other women firefighters. I think that some members of the NYFD believed that women entering their space would disorder their world and that they would be unable to carry on as usual due to changes. In other words, the stability of their organization was threatened. I had no knowledge of the firefighting profession as it relates to women, and I was shocked to learn of such cruelty toward them. I believe that women belong where ever they desire to be, that they should have equal opportunity to pursue whatever they wish.

Jesse L. Hash
Phoenix, AZ

While my neighbors & colleagues are still waving their 9-11 flags (literally & metaphorically), most are ignorant of the egregious sexism entrenched in & tenaciously defended by the institutions they venerate. The history of FDNY stinks of gross inhumanities toward racial and gender minorities. No amount of brief post-terrorism response will compensate for a vile system which has brutally tortured the spirits and lives of dedicated minorities within its ranks. I will never respect the situationally-based "heroes" at FDNY as I do individuals like Brenda Berkman, whose LONG TERM, SELF-SACRIFICING SOCIAL COMMITMENT changes lives.

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