At 14, I joined my local fire department’s explorer program. I then joined a cadet program at another station at 16 after moving and simultaneously started my high school’s fire science program. Upon graduating at 18, I would have all the necessary credentials to join any fire department as a certified firefighter. Knowing I could start this career right after graduation was a huge plus, and I’d known it was the career for me since I was young.
In the beginning, I absolutely loved the trainings, meetings, and community events. I loved how involved everything was and how much I was learning. I quickly began to realize I had made the right decision in choosing my future career. I had what I thought were good role models and was consistently surrounded by people in the fire service.
My dream eventually became my nightmare. In all the programs I was in from ages 14 to 18, I was surrounded by grown men. In the beginning, I just assumed they were all “good guys” because of the fire service, but I was wrong. One thing that now really stands out to me is that there wasn’t a single female advisor or instructor present during my time in these programs. Many of those years, I was also the only female student.
One day, catcalling began, followed by inappropriate jokes, comments, and touches during training, including smacking my butt and groping my breasts. At first, I would roll my eyes and ask them to stop or say no. Then things took a turn for the worse. One of the instructors raped me after an event. He threatened my life, family, and future, constantly saying that no one would believe me because of his standing in the community and his reputation. The abuse lasted almost a year before I reported it.
I realize now, as an adult looking back, that I didn’t belong at a firehouse or in these programs as a teenage girl. My parents and I assumed I was safe due to it being the fire service, as did most people. The fire service is still a very male-dominated field, and not all of its members are good or well-intentioned. Some departments are more progressive than others but abuse and harassment is still very common. According to FEMA’s handbook regarding women in firefighting as many as 85% of women firefighters experience some form of sexual harassment at work or in their volunteer departments. It also states that a woman who is harassed is much more likely to leave her job, request a transfer, or suffer in silence and hope that the problem goes away.
As I previously stated, I was a child learning, not an adult working in this field. These programs have basic rules, such as following child labor laws and providing junior firefighters with proper protective gear. Many follow the Boy Scouts of America’s guidelines, requiring both male and female advisors for co-ed programs. However, there’s no enforcement or reporting mechanism when this isn’t being enforced. Some departments can’t provide a female advisor. In these situations, I think having a chaperone or volunteer present during training and events would be a good idea.
As a child, I spent several years in a fire station where I experienced abuse that deeply affected me. During these critical years, I was let down by those who should have protected me. Sadly, I know I am not the only one who has endured this type of abuse. These programs still need so much help and reform to provide a secure and safe setting for children who join them.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted or abused there are resources available.
