News

Four working group
We have established four working groups under the following headings to collate information from a survey that we are formulating:

Family and Caring

• Pregnancy
• Maternity Policies
• Nursery/kindergarten facilities

Statutes

• Salary
• Retirement
• Definition of a firefighter

Technical and Physical Issues

• Uniform
• Physical fitness

Career/Support

• Promotion
• Culture

Survey

The Commission is working on a survey with questions about working practices, maternity leave and particular issues which affect women. This will be sent to all members and we would ask that everyone participates. The information will be collated and best practice shared.

Definitions

These are our definitions for the persons in fire and rescue services, so you know the background how you answer the survey.

Operational firefighter - A person who uses specialist equipment and clothing to protect themselves from their working environment and who may put themselves at risk to save a life or property. This also includes those who are more senior and who attend incidents in a command role.

Firefighter and other roles. May wear a uniform provided by their employers and carry out a role eg, emergency dispatch, Fire Safety and Prevention but do not attend operational incidents and do not put their lives at risk (as above). Other roles are support roles for the Fire and Rescue Service, eg, IT, administrative tasks, psychologists, teachers, policy writing, etc (There are many definitions within this "other roles")

Friday March 06 2015 was a historic day in Finland from a woman's perspective.
A national women’s network was launched for those who are active in world of rescue operations. The aspiration of the network is to promote personal development and to provide peer support.
 
The idea of this network evolved from the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services (CTIF). International work, is coordinated in Finland by The Finnish National Rescue Association (SPEK), with Finland being one of the member countries in CTIF’s Commission Women in Fire and Rescue Services. The collaboration started as a working group in 2013 resulting in achieving commission status in 2014, with the wider operation identifying the need of a national network for rescue women in Finland. The network is open to all women operating in the rescue field whether voluntary or professional.

The common aim is to harness other women’s organizations in existence and by doing so SPEK, as a central organization, provides the network its support through mechanisms and assistance in coordination.
 
The seminar showcased international women's activities, including the Swedish women's operation of the network, in addition to highlighting women's experience in the field of rescue operations in Finland. Internationally, the status of women varies a lot, depending on their country.
 
Those who were involved in the seminar all agreed that women should be treated as equals, whether professionals or volunteers, and provide the opportunity to develop in accordance with their own personality. Rescue men and women have the same goals and therefore the network is not competing within the men’s arena. However, for the purpose of identifying the specific needs of women and at the same time working and competing harmoniously with men, it is important that women have the opportunity to network with other likeminded women.

Sirpa Suomalainen
Regional director at The Finnish National Rescue Association SPEK
sirpa.suomalainen(a)spek.fi

Caption: More than 60 rescue women, as well as few open-minded rescue men met at the seminar in Helsinki. Seminar was organized by SPEK.

Dear colleques

Congratulations !!

Now we are a CTIF COMMISSION " Women in Fire and Rescue service ".

Sincerely yours,
Eremina Tatiana
Doctor of Siences, Professor

Women's working group established in 2012 follows the traditions layed by the first women working in firefighters' organisations. The active role of modern women in fire fighting as well as the existing tradition make us apply for transformation of the working group into CTIF Commission.