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The Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB) in Victoria has launched its Gender Inclusion Action Plan 2010-2013, showcasing the organisation’s commitment to becoming an employer of choice for women.
The plan aims to deliver an inclusive, accessible organisation that delivers inclusive and accessible services. The plan lists 45 actions endorsed by the MFB Board and was launched at the MCG on 9 March by Danielle Green, Parliamentary Secretary for Police and Emergency Services.
“We currently have 1737 firefighters, of which 56 are female. That equates to 3.1 per cent of our operational workforce. With this new plan in plan in place, we’d like to reduce that gap,” said Ken Latta, MFB Chief Executive Officer and Chief Officer.
“This is about the MFB making a commitment to promoting firefighting and the MFB as a career choice that perhaps many women haven’t considered before. It’s simply about opening up possibilities for females in the Brigade,” said Mr Latta.
“It’s important to also note that the recruiting process and entry standards remain the same for both male and female applicants, so the competency and ability of our firefighters will always stay at the highest standard.”
To celebrate the launch, a community partnership between the MFB and the Victorian Women’s Football League (VWFL) was also announced. The MFB will sponsor a Gender Equity Cup to be played on Mother’s Day, Sunday 9 May 2010.
For more information visit the website www.mfb.vic.gov.au
Source: MFB
You neglected to mention that Maxine Morand, Minister for Womens Affairs, was meant to officially open the action plan. Instead, Danielle Green, kindly and professionally stepped in at short notice to launch the event. Maxine was THREATENED by the United Firefighters union, and advised not to attend. Does this mean the UFU doesn’t support female firefighters and doesn’t encourage women to consider a career in the fire service ?
I didn’t mention Maxine Morand because there was nothing mentioned about it in the media release by MFB and until you posted your comment, I had no idea she had been threatened by the United Firefighters Union. So thank you for bringing this to our attention.
The MFB like other fire services in the West faces challenges related to diversifying its workforce. The US and UK fire services have made much more progress than we have in Australia.
It is sad to see the barriers to diversity in the MFB are linked to opposition from the union. Unions should be championing diversity rather than frustrating it. Female firefighters will be torn between supporting their union and standing up for gender equity. The solution is for more of them to take up leadership positions with the UFU and work on changing their outdated, out of touch union.
The MFB is targetting women, indigineous and ethnic minority groups to consider firefighting as a career.This is progressive, positive and necessary as they are all under represented within the organisation. I should know as I am one of those firefighters out there doing just that.The United firefighters union (UFU)has successfully convinced (through miss information) 24 female firefighters to write a letter to ‘the Age’, to state women don’t need ‘a leg up’ to get into firefighting. Firstly, the pre-employment training is targetted at ethnic minorities and indigineous groups – not necessarily white anglo women. Secondly after completing the prepatory course, you then sit a 3 hour exam, just like any other public applicant.The standard of the exam IS NOT lowered. The whole issue here is that the UFU detests the diversity department in the MFB – PERIOD! Thats why the UFU boycotted the Disability action plan, the Reconciliation action plan, the Gender inclusion action plan and next week on Monday 22nd March they will no doubt boycott the launch of the Multicultural action plan! Finally, I wonder how many female firefighters have actually read the gender inclusion action plan – its relevant, transparent and easily accessible. It seems the UFU are putting their own personal issues before the good of the community.
Dr David Baigent’s comments have been published as an article on the website: Resistance to Women joining the ranks of Firefighters
Dan,
It is interesting to me that as “…one of those firefighters out there doing just that”, you have attempted to tarnish the UFU for spouting miss-information, and then hypocritically done the same. The ministers office has stated publicly that no threats were made by the UFU. If you are in the MFB, and you check your e-mail, you would be aware that the letter written my Mac Hanson to the Age was sent by HER to the union, she instigated it because of her belief that as an equal opportunity employer the MFB needs not ask for exemption from any commission to allow minority groups the chance for recruitment, as nothing is stopping them now. What the MFB needs to do is better target their marketing to minority groups. It is true that many minority groups are unaware that firefighting is a rewarding and fulfilling career. This needs to change, but not the way that our board is attempting to do. The MFB board is discriminating against anyone who is not in a minority group by implementing this policy. Anyone is welcome in the MFB, apply, you might just see that I’m right. And if you are in fact already with us, call me and we can talk about this, you never know, perhaps I have it all wrong.
Qualified firefighter Chris Eastaway.
My name is Carl St Paul and I am a Station Commander with London Fire Brigade. I have been in the service for 22 years and I am of African Caribbean descent. I am also a Fire Brigades Union member and I am the founder and first Union National Secretary of the Black & Ethnic Minority Members of the Fire Brigades Union 1995 – 2007.
As an official and member of an under represented group in the British Fire Service I feel qualified to forward my views on this subject. I should also inform you that the Metropolitan Fire Brigade have twice invited me to Melbourne to present at conferences and workshops. (2007 & 2009)
It is no secret that the Fire Service globally has been one of the last bastions of industry to open its arms to the notion of Diversity and Equality. It would be fair to suggest that the industry has hidden behind the shield of mythology that to be a Firefighter one had to be 6’6ins and built like a brick outhouse. The myth further suggested that it was probably best if all Firefighters not only looked the same but acted and thought the same.
As a young boy I grew up thinking that the Fire Service could not be for me as I never saw anyone on a Fire engine who looked like me and I certainly never saw a woman. And yet during the Second World War women were a large percentage of the Fire Service in Britain as operational Fire fighters and did a remarkable job during a time of the greatest adversity the country has ever known!
This is the 21st century and there is no place for outdated mind sets and the further promulgation of stigmatising myths. In the modern global Fire Service it is a practical pre-requisite to employ the best personnel who bring with them a diverse wealth of Personal Quality Attributes which will of course include physical ability, but just as important will also include the ability to problem solve, work with others, work for the community, mentor & coach, be open minded, committed to excellence, demonstrate modesty and humility, be mindful of pre-judgement.
Politics will always have an influence but we should strive to influence the politics for the betterment of the future and the natural evolvement of a proud industry and those who work within it and the communities they serve.
The MFB is a sound institution which must not be prevented from evolving in line with global advancement.
Carl St Paul
London Fire Brigade
Station Commander