Pregnant Firefighters

[chief262]

Would like to hear policies concerning duty assignments for pregnant firefighters!

Thanks

[firebox1]

Is she active now? if so you could possibly have her do some office work with the sec. now, have her help clean the station, help the training officer, just find something that won't put her or her baby in danger. If it was up to me I would have her do just that office work.

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[FireChick]

Check out the web site of Women In The Fire Service at www.wfsi.org/index.html (http://www.wfsi.org/index.html)
They have all kinds of topics, pregnancy included.
Personally, I would go by what the ob-gyn states is safe for the firefighter and baby. Each person will vary with what they can tolerate.
An easy solution is to just engineer and not gear up for structure fires/rescues, etc. until such time as that is too much....then go on disability.
Just my opinion, and mine only.
Good luck!

[FireRsq107]

Both of your opinions are good. We have never had that here but i would do what the Doc says and have her do some minor paper work or dispatching if available.

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Andrew Coe
Green Pond Fire & Rescue Service.

[Trooperchelly]

With my first child I went on leave in my first trimester to avoid harm to the baby. While pregnant with my second child I worked in Prevention obviously without any risks.
Michele Talley
Training Officer
Helix Rural Fire Protection District

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Live life on purpose.

[Firewoman]

I don't mean to be rude Firebox1, but office work!!! It almost seems like you are punishing the fire fighter for being pregnant. I was pregnant with my son over two years ago. The first female fire Officer in our department to be in that unique situation. There was and still is no policy for pregnancy. I responded up until my 7th month with my doctor's permission. I knew my limitations and practiced every precaution. I have a healthy, happy 21 month old son to prove it. The best way to handle this is to leave the decisions up to the fire fighter and her doctor. There is no Chief or officer who is qualified to make that decision. If there are concerns perhaps the chief should speak to an OB/GYN about those concerns. Just because a fire fighter is pregnant, do not sit her behind a desk, or shove a broom into her hand if she is still a competent, capeable member of the team. The hardest time for me was when I was away from the station and my fire fighting family in those last months before the birth, and the first few months after. In the time that I was not responding, I took on a role as a training Lieutenant teaching our new recruits
but still had a say in operational matters and policies within our station. Tread carefully, this is a very touchy subject. Good luck

Sandee Crooks
Lieutenant, Station 8
Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency Service
Nova Scotia
Canada

[Michelle Bennett]

I totally agree with Firewoman! No man has the right to decide what a woman can and cannot do in the state of pregnancy. I am a devout firefighter and would not stop serving for anyone except my unborn child, so I think I would know beyond anyone's comprehension what was safe and what wasn't. When a man gets hurt on the job and is put on light duty, I see him do a lot of alternative things, but I hardly ever seen him put in an office. No woman should be punished for doing what no man is capable of! One thing I've learned being apart of the fireservice since I was in the womb is, it can be done! I agree tread lightly!

[bigmamamedic1]

O.K.
seems like you all are getting a little upset here. I don't believe the question as well as the comment made "have her do office work", was meant to be derogatory, just a suggestion for light-duty.
I was pregnant and on a fire department. I feel that it should go on a month-by-month basis, you have your check-up, get a Dr.'s statement, that is simple. It gives you the o.k. to work, and relieves your superiors from some of the worry. They cannot put you on light duty without "justifiable causes", then it falls under pregnancy discrimination. Noone wants that.
My concern falls, when the pregnant firefighter is on a scene and I have multiple patients and now I have one more, because she could not tell me how she was feeling, nor was this whole incident expected. Congradulations on her delivery, but what about the one who got away.
Because of this incident, when I became pregnant, I went to light-duty work, not only for me but my baby and those whom I worked with. When you are in this postition you not only need to think about the safety of yourself (and now baby), but your crew members too.
Be safe.

[This message has been edited by bigmamamedic1 (edited October 14, 2000).]

[comwhite]

Just wondering? But does your municipal insurance cover her continuing to respond? We had a similar issue, but the pregnant woman had to get a doctor's release and sign an affadavit that she would not hold the city responsible in the event she or the baby were hurt while responding. BTW, she was utelized more in the capacity of running medical calls, and being supportive to patients family. Worked out pretty good.

[Neen5029]

I was going to respond, but after reading everyone else's posts, it seems like everything has already been said... The only other thing that I can add is to just make sure that you are keeping her in the family. Sometimes pregnancy can make a person feel very alone... at least it did for me ( I was the only female in the department at the time). But there are definately things like rehab etc. she can help out with on the fireground... Best of luck & Stay Safe http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif

Neen

[Diane]

Responding as a volunteer FF:

Our first female FF who was married to another FF (not that it makes a difference) got pregnant and was active until her Turnout Coat wouldn't close! Can you imagine? And back then, we still had open-cab engines! God forbid she lost her balance or passed out. I don't know what the policy would be now-a-days.....But I would hope it would be more cautious. Incidentally, since both husband and wife were FF (he later became Chief) she became a social member because they couldn't both run out of the house for a call and leave the baby!

[prussik745]

When I became pregnant 2 1/2 years ago, I was the (and still am) the first woman to be pregnant in our department, so we didn't have anything in writing as to how it would be handled. Thus, it was viewed the same as an off the job injury. (we don't give light duty work to those injured off the job) So, I was able to work in the stations only as long as my doctor and I thought it was safe. I worked until 6 weeks before my due date. (a little longer than my doc would have liked). Key considerations should be town policies, the womans fitness, (is it a high risk pregnancy), what kind of call volume do you have, and the safety of those she works with. Talk to the guys in the station. How do they feel about working and looking out for one of their own who is 6 or 7 months pregnant. Good luck!

[URSULAFORHAN]

My friend Charlotte's daughter is on a neigboring dept. and went out on calls as a photographer until about four days before the baby was born. She fought fires for a while, unless it was a situation requiring an SCBA. She was back on light duty about two weeks after the baby was born, however, I don't reccomend this,her mom was worried sick.

[Fire29_1999]

I hope I am not stepping on any ones feelings but I agree with bigmomma and yet I think that there are a lot of things one can do without risk I like the photographer idea we have a terrible time finding photos of our fires unless the media is there, there is also support at the fire scene,medical standby,setting up ventalation,maybe engineering, just not anywhere that may be dangerous to that person and/or the crew, like number four on a four person crew and I think that a woman would respect that knowing that someone is worried about them and not just thinking that now that she is pregnant they may by able to get rid of her, keep her busy but safe.And I do agree to check with her, if she is truly a firefighter she will know when to back away and not put ANYONE at risk.
stay safe

[BMTFD]

been there done that.I fought field fires while I was pregnant.Stupid?only if you ignore your bodies signals.I have a very healthy baby boy who was on more fires before birth than most firefighters on some departments.Noone should judge a pregnant womans capabilities except for that person.

[duerr2]

The only thing I have to say is that if she can still safely do the job, LET HER!!!

Stay safe, everyone!

[truckie1794]

First off, I would like to thank everyone for their comemnts. My department currently has it's first pregnant firefighter and you've given me some very good ideas on how we should work with our sister so everyone is happy.

We have asked her for a doctors note and want to abide by what he/she says, but have not gotten the note, yet. What course of action do we take until we get the note?

Guys in the department are supportive of her, but chivaly is not dead. They want to go out of their way to make sure she (and the baby) are safe. Therefore, the note is of utmost importance.

Some have suggested having her sign a release so if something happens, she cannot hold the department responsible for placing her (and her baby) at risk? If we do that, don't we have to do the same for al members to avoid the discrimination issue?

The situation is alot like being a parent for the first time. I sure wish my daughter came with a book telling us exactly what to do in each situation. Unfortunately, that book doesn't exist in the fire service either.

Thanks for your time.

[needles]

interesting subject, highly personal,and it seems to me relitively clear. Fedreal law requires that the enmployer alow the employee to work as long as she and her doctor say its ok, the real question comes in at what do you do with the employee when she and the doc feel its time to get off the fire line? Does your dept have light duty assignments, written into the contract? most depts are behind the times when it comes to pregnancy in the fire service,some options I have heard : using your vacation time , family medical leave act, duty trades ,sick time , the key is making sure your members do not loose money or benefits, AND ALL MEMBERS are treated fair and equal. My local is going thru some very interesting times with regard to this matter and as I write are trying to formulate clear, clean , AND fair contract language, its a tuff nut to crack.

[johnusn971]

Originally posted by URSULAFORHAN:
My friend Charlotte's daughter is on a neigboring dept. and went out on calls as a photographer until about four days before the baby was born. She fought fires for a while, unless it was a situation requiring an SCBA. She was back on light duty about two weeks after the baby was born, however, I don't reccomend this,her mom was worried sick.

Um, maybe this is my warped way of thinking, coming through NYC and all, but aren't ALL fires, accidents, brush fires, what have you, by regs, SCBA situation?

As for the post thread? Eh. I know they are removed from the Company in NYC. Personally? I'll get blasted and what not, but I would not feel safe working with a pregnant firefighter. As long as Affrimative Action is implimented throughout hiring practices, I will be wary of everyone, until they prove that they can handle the job. Sorry, I'm not one who supports in any way shape or form Affrimative action. No job should be handed to anyone. White/black, male or female.

[fireeater650]

I would absolutly NOT let a pregnant women fight fire.

[Bad Tim]

A pregnant firefighter has two brains in her body. That seems to be two more than some of these guys.
The decision to stay on the line should be the woman and her doctor's. Modified must be available, and is allowable even if it isn't for injuries.
A great post-birth benefit is to allow the woman to alternate paid and non-paid time off. This allows her to have twice the time off at half pay (with benefits), if she desires.

[SawdOff]

Since joining our POC dept 5+ years ago my husband and I have been trying to have a child. I have also been trying to train for specific duties that would keep me out of harm's way if I would become pregnant. I love the fire service and if I had to stay home it would kill me.

First I became an MPO. Not much stress/physical exertion involved in operating the engine/truck/tanker. Most men would rather play than pump and the Chief found this to be a good plan. Next I became a Lt. Officers on our dept can do a number of things on the fire ground besides fighting fire. A Safety Officer does not pose much of a threat. Recently I became an instructor. Coordinating, planning and doing trainings also isn't very strenous. So, as long as my doc does not put me on bed rest, I think I have several places on our dept I can still participate in up to a due date. Unfortunately, we need to seek the services of a Fertility Specialist. In the meantime, I continue to play with the boys and train for just incase I need to back off.

[Ladder Man]

Thank God on my department the minute a woman finds out she is pregnant, she is taken off the street and put on lite duty. In other words office duty. (with the same pay) This is the departments policy and non-negotable. Any woman who thinks she can do the job (and I mean everything that is suppose to be done along side of her peers without any special treatment)while being pregnant, and not putting her un-born child at risk is a idiot!

[nozzlegril430]

I am just returning to my work after delivering my third child 9 weeks ago. I was cleared by my O.B. to fight fire until the day I delivered. My husband (a full timer)(I'm a part-timer), out his foot down and said he didn't want me to. I respected his wishes and am glad I did so. I was 14 weeks along and we were doing a training on "Saving Your Own". I could barely get my bunkers on but was asked to participate anyway and felt safe in doing so. My pregnant stomach got me caught in the hole that was used to demonstrate breeching a wall. I was very scared for my fetus (daughter). That was it for me. I would have been happy with "office work" but there wasn't any. I was a volunteer with my first 2 pregnancies and ran the entire 9 months. As a paid individual, it was worth it to lose money and not risk losing my baby. I only wish I hadn't taken the risks with my sons.
Any emergency response puts your child at risk. Any contact with smoke (which will always be unavoidable on a fire scene) is a selfish risk.
I may anger some of my sisters in the service but I have a healthy people and don't regret not acting macho for the sake of my child.

God bless.

Johneen

[HFXFFF]

Men and women decide what to do with their own bodies. Men may decide to be overweight, drink or do drugs. It is there body and they can do what they want with it. So why should women give up their right to decide what they do to their bodies? If they want to get an abortion they can. It comes down to common sense. Why does anyone do anything that is harmful to their bodies?

[KamJ]

I am a volunteer firefighter in NSW, Australia. Through my pregancy I attended training, but all I could do was watch and listen, but I was still learning and I was also doing Communications. There were things that I could have done, but you do it at your own descreet. But I never missed out on anything and when the Doctor gave me the all clear, I went to active duties, nothing really stopped me from doing or learning anything. I would have liked to participate in the practical, but that would have worriedalot of people. There is nothing stopping you from doing anything within a safe manner. I was doing some public Realtions work on one, which I was on the back of the truck doing things. I felt really good, I done this 1 week before I went into hospital to have her..

[JohnnyMo]

Wow, this is an old topic but I am gonna respond anyway. Here our policy says that as soon as an active duty FF or PM finds out that she is pregnant she is to inform Medical and she is put on the Medical Roster. There is NO such thing as light Duty here.