Today a press release came out from the Bayonne (NJ) Fire Department welcoming the first woman into its ranks in its 108 years of existence. Bayonne hired and graduated Cailin Brodel as its first female firefighter. Brodel, who grew up in Bayonne, will be a wonderful addition to that department. Undoubtedly, she will serve with distinction and be a credit to her family, her city, and the department. Women have been serving with distinction in the fire service for generations, and it is gratifying and uplifting to see more and more female firefighters in our ranks.
Many would say that the inclusion of more women into the fire service signifies a change, but in reality, male domination in the fire service is more of a modern construct. Prior to the formation of formal firefighting companies, when a community was faced with the threat of a fire, men and women of every race and nationality would come together to fight this universal menace. No one was excluded from the opportunity to pass a bucket and join a bucket brigade. Everyone who could handle the weight of the bucket was not only welcome but expected to participate in the defense of their community.
We often comment in the fire service about how we are color-blind, gender-neutral, apolitical, fiscally neutral, and unfiltered when it comes to how we provide service. No fire department that we know of has a screening policy for whom they respond to, no litmus test of who deserves our service-and no discrimination is tolerated. Any discrimination would be considered a violation of our most sacred virtue: that of service. No firefighter alive would argue with that previous statement.
This brings us to an opportunity to prove our integrity, an opportunity to prove that we do not discriminate, an opportunity to prove that we do not judge anyone. A national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender organization known as V.O.I.C.E. recently put out a press release featuring Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Firefighter Brooke Guinan. Guinan was featured because she is a transgender and is an FDNY firefighter. Guinan is a third-generation FDNY firefighter- both her father and her grandfather served.
Guinan says in the press release that she was unsure for a long time as to whether to join the FDNY, as she didn’t feel that she fit into the masculine stereotype like her family members. She also is quoted as saying, “There’s such a pervasive feeling in the general attitude of society that firefighting is a job for straight men.” Her service with the FDNY is breaking down another long-held myth.
Guinan was also motivated to become a firefighter because of the high level of unemployment in the transgender community. Transgenders experience twice as much unemployment as the general population, according to a study by the national Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Also according to the report, 90 percent of the transgender community reported some type of harassment or discrimination when they were able to find employment.
There will be some who struggle with accepting Guinan as one of our own. She even points out that among the transgender community there is the perception that firefighting is not for them. To quote Guinan, “Most queer people think that being a firefighter, a cop, or having a government job is unattainable. What a lot don’t realize is you can do it.” The top brass of the FDNY are firmly behind Guinan and others in the LGBT community who may want to become members of the world’s most elite firefighting community. “We’re very proud of Firefighter Guinan’s participation in this important campaign,” FDNY Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said.
And therein lies our opportunity. Guinan is a role model for the LGBT community because of her transgenderism and her participation in this ad campaign, which attempts to educate others like her to the possibility of joining our honored profession. It is undeniable that she will have to face firefighters who will be opposed to her and her activities; she should be assured that she will not have to face them alone. We should always remind one another that excluding Guinan because of our biases and prejudices is not honoring our profession.
To some, this particular ad campaign may be the issue; they might argue that it is not necessary. Firefighters who value honesty will see it differently; it does encourage others to be more honest about their particular gender identity. It also helps those of us who are unaware of the LGBT community and perhaps are biased or prejudiced and not accepting of those particular lifestyles to honestly assess our own attitudes.
To some of us, the lifestyles of the LGBT community challenge our religious and moral beliefs. We should remember that sometimes those challenges help us to grow, and sometimes those challenges create an opportunity to stand up for what is right-that is the opportunity here. When asked about alternative lifestyles, Pope Francis said, “Who am I to judge?” Whether or not you agree with someone’s lifestyle, you must agree with the right to practice it and, as a firefighter, judge not.
The fire service has been held in very high esteem by our citizens for thousands of years. Much of that esteem comes from our character, our honor, and our integrity. We have always stood up for those who are in peril, for those who could not defend themselves, and for those who are in danger. We welcome Guinan and those in her community as fellow firefighters and honor their personal courage and character; it will serve them well within our community.
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By Bobby Halton |
Fire Engineering Archives
