The fireman is… a woman

In this sweltering heat of March when the concrete roads shimmer, weather-battered trike drivers would seek to the shade.

But in the open grounds of the PMI in Taloto, not minding the aggravating air from Tagbilaran Bay, teams of fire fighters in hoods haul in rolled fire hoses, manhandle a sack of sand and carry it about 15 meters, and roll the victim on a spine board in a controlled choreography that projects emergency.

A few meters off, an umpire raises a flaglet and the action explodes.

Somebody unrolls a fire hose, runs and latches it to another hose, and then a couple of fire fighters in heavy fire coat runs to the end of the connected hoses, screws in the nozzle.

As the umpire waves the flag, the fire truck engine a hundred meters away revs and the force of the water, wriggles the hoses and staggers the fire fighters who aim the spray to a simulated base of fire.

Fire-fighting has always been manly.

In fact, one of the requirements for being one is a physicality that is demanded of the job.

This helps them in fire suppression and rescue operations, emergency medical response (EMS) where they handle victims, disaster response and evacuation, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) handling and fire prevention, inspections, and community education.

But here, in the grounds, step close.

Shielded by the hood, in their multi-colored sublimation printed rash guards, the fire men are…women.

In fact, in a profession dominated by males, females are often shrugged off.

Facilities and equipment at fire stations are largely designed for men, something that is now slowly looked into.

Women in the service however has proven to be an added value for the fire services.

Women often excel in communication and de-escalation. This is especially valuable in emergency medical calls, assisting victims in distress, and coordinating with teams and the public.

Women too have relatively higher emotional intelligence when they demonstrate strong empathy and emotional awareness, which helps in comforting victims during traumatic incidents, handling sensitive situations (children, elderly, vulnerable individuals) and thus supports team morale.

Meticulousness in women also helps in showing careful attention to procedures and safety protocols, which is critical in fire prevention inspections, equipment checks and incident documentation.

And whatever women usually lack in physical strength, they fill with technique, endurance and agility.

In Bohol, recent estimates put women comprising 30 percent of the fire fighters manpower.

In Tagbilaran City Fire Station alone, Fire Superintendent Angela S. Salva said with 14 women fire fighters of a force of 42.

Besides, fire prevention and suppression is for everyone, because fire does not regard gender, age or color, she added.

In further bringing forward the issue of women in the fire fighting force, Bureau of Fire Protection in Bohol along with Tagbilaran City Fire Station hosted the first Bohol Women Fire Olympics, apparently to show that women can also do things men can.

Teams from cluster of fire stations in Bohol’s first, second and third districts at two teams per district swooped down in nylon jogging pants (which facilitates the easy slipping into and off the heavy fire coat), long sleeved jersey and hoods, low cut rubber) in a day long of competitions and celebration of womanhood.

Six teams, each comprised of 8 members plus a coach and an assistant, easily makes the day rare for PMI grounds, which by tradition is a home ground of Bohol’s male dominated maritime school.

They would be competing in four events, TCFS operations officer Senior Fire Officer Mariamric Gasque explained, where women teams from the districts prove they too can do it.

Competition events include rescue and transfer event where female firefighters have to carry a rolled fire hose for 15 meters, take a victim through lovers carry, and the team finally carries a presumed injured victim strapped on a spine board, into the safe zone.

The second event which each team has to complete in the shortest time and without any technical deduction is Personal Protective Equipment donning (fire coat), slinging of self-contained breathing apparatus, and a critical firefighting skill in fire hose throwing.

The third event is an actual fire-fighting simulation where a team has to attach a fire hose into a fire truck, roll three hoses, connect these together to a fire nozzle where two firefighters in fire coats aim the hose to a fire target.

After a grueling six hours of competency competitions, Team two of District I capped the championship trophy, District 1 Team 2, specifically a combined force of Tagbilaran City Fire Station and Office of the provincial Fire marshal bagged the first runner up and District 1 Team 3 completed the podium.

For the competition categories: in the Rescue and Transfer Relay, Tagbilaran City Fire Station bagged the trophy and bragging rights.

District 1 Team two brought home two trophies for two categories: the Personal Protective Equipment (fire coat) and Hose Throwing Relay as well as the fire suppression simulation and hose maneuvering.

In the tug of war, District 1 Team 3 defeated all Bohol women fire fighting teams. (PIA)

HEAVILLY WEIGHTED. With oxygen tanks strapped on the back, heavy boots and fore coat and protective helmet, this woman fire fighter hauls some 15 meters of wet hose and unrolls it in the PPE and hose roll segment of Bohol’s first Women Fire Olympics. (PIAbohol)

UP CLOSE. That’s a heavy oxygen tank of self contained breathing apparatus which fire fighters have to lug into fire scenes to be able to breathe in thick smoke and burning noxious gasses. (PIAbohol)