More than 400 individuals applied to the Olympia Fire Department (OFD), but only 20 made it to the entry-level firefighter (ELFF) register approved by the Civil Service Commission on Tuesday, March 21.
In a document made available to the public, the Olympia Fire Department has 18 males and two females listed in the 2022-2023 ELFF list of potential hires.
The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) data showed that the department received 446 applications, and about 394 passed the written exam.
Civil Service Commission Staff Liaison Nicole Camus said they invited those who scored above 80% for the speed interview in January. “From there, we invited the top 28 people for the oral [interview] board. Out of those numbers, 22 showed up to participate; 20 passed.”
Camus explained that the OFD does not hire often. She said the department could go 12 to 14 months before returning to the recruiting process.
“They function more in a cohort, where they hire people in groups and send them through together and then don’t hire for a while,” said Camus, replying to Commissioner Reiko Callner’s inquiry about a large pool of applicants.
As for the vacancies, she added that a few people in the department had submitted retirements in addition to the 18 new positions added.
Gender imbalance
Commissioner Oscar Soule noted the gender imbalance in the applicant pool. He said the data had a ratio of eight to 10 males to one female.
"I wonder if that is a number the fire department knows,” inquired Soule. “I am curious if the fire department is aware of this pattern and if they utilize it to attract more female applicants to achieve a more balanced ratio."
Soule commented that the gender ratio remained consistent across all cultural or racial groups.
"I just wondered if that was a factor or a point used to guide recruitment?" Soule asked OFD Deputy Chief Michael Buchanan, who was present in the meeting.
Buchanan replied that the fire department had made some progress in including women, "but the profession remains male-dominated."
Buchanan noted that the fire service is still predominantly male, with an estimated 90% of firefighters being men nationwide.
"We know that this is changing with time and culture that women are becoming in the fire service more, but it is a slow process," said Buchanan, adding that recently they have seen an encouraging trend of female candidates ranking highly in the selection process.
Buchanan announced that they are bringing back the Capital Metro Fire Girls program this year. He said they had previously conducted the activity before the COVID pandemic.
The fire deputy chief explained that the program was designed to offer young girls, from 15 to 18 years old, an opportunity to explore firefighting and see if it would interest them.
He added that it is more than just a recruitment initiative. "It is about connecting with other women in this environment and seeing that many things are possible."
Click here for more information about the Capital Metro Fire Girls program.
6 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
pheong
the es
Thursday, March 23, 2023 Report this
Honestyandrealityguy
They should hire the best and the brightest, regardless of gender. A man should not be discriminated against because he is a man. Some people work harder than others and they should not be penalized.
Thursday, March 23, 2023 Report this
pheong
the established physical requirements tend to eliminate most women. certain tasks must be accomplished within certain times to qualify. the lives of those in burning buildings are at stake. these standards are not set to exclude women. these standards are set to guarantee that ALL firefighters have the strength and stamina required to operate under very demanding conditions.
why these criteria are not mentioned here is then only half of the story.
a firefighter of lesser capability than the tests require is a liability to all the firemen(yes, yes)on a site.
Thursday, March 23, 2023 Report this
KatAshe
I agree with the previous two commenters in that the physical requirements will always favor male firefighters.
Friday, March 24, 2023 Report this
AugieH
Solution to the gender inequality angst: recruit transgender females.
Saturday, March 25, 2023 Report this
Southsoundguy
I’m sure the fires notice the gender imbalance, as well.
Saturday, March 25, 2023 Report this