What It Takes To Be A Female Firefighter | Be A Badass | Brawlers

On this episode of Be A Badass, we discover what it takes to become a female firefighter. Our host, Allison Hagendorf tests her own physicality while performing the everyday duties of a firefighter. Press play on this episode of Be A Badass to see what it takes!
ABOUT SERIES
Be A Badass, hosted by Allison Hagendorf, is a series focused on destroying preconceived notions on female athletes. In each episode, she takes on a physical challenge to push her own limits and make a point. Her goal is the shake up the idea of what women can and cannot do in sports today.
ABOUT BRAWLERS
Brawlers is celebrating women in sports and delivering a fresh look at some of the most accomplished female athletes in the world who are eliminating the distinction between strength and beauty.
RELATED CONTENT
The Mental & Physical Challenges Of Being A Stunt Woman
• The Mental & Physical ...
Why There Should be More Women In Fencing
• Why There Should Be Mo...
I Tried Rock Climbing For The First Time
• I Tried Rock Climbing ...
SEE MORE BRAWLERS VIDEOS
refinery29.com/video
TALENT
Follow On Her Turf on Instagram: / onherturf

[@musicalliminality]

Im a girl, 16 yo and 165 lbs. and I do olympic weightlifting, crossfit and wrestling. My mom is a crossfitter. I know it's going to be a long, rough journey to become a firefighter but I am going to train harder, work harder, and try to be better than anyone else applying to become a firefighter, male or not. I know the risks and am aware. I know how hard it's going to be. I accept that and I'm going to give my all trying to reach my goal.

[@aleshaswann6381]

Ya'll should at least have some respect for all the firefighters who put their lives to danger for others, regardless of gender.

[@lllllllllllllllII]

As long as she can carry a grown ass man out of a burning building just as any other man firefighter could do

[@malisamalilay]

Albino Harambe the requirement is that you can either carry or drag someone who is up to 200lbs.

[@aleshaswann6381]

@john smith exactly, regardless of gender. These low standards haven't always been there and I think that the officials surely know what they're doing.

[@aleshaswann6381]

I don't believe shit you say. You sound like a petty 12 year old for all I care.

[@illyaedwards7188]

@@swaroop2518 it's not about equality, it's who can get the job done. And most of the time it will be men. And there's a big difference in gender

[@enniemeanieminnie]

Maybe I missed it. But I’m guessing by the fact she can’t seem to wear a shirt... she does crossfit

[@emilymeza9241]

As much as I love CrossFit this stereotype is very true😂

[@sylvana4191]

i want to be a firefighter and yes i’m a woman and yes i’m under 6 2 and less than 200 lbs. Seeing these comments are so awful and discouraging yet i’m not discouraged at all. It actually makes me more encouraged. Cant wait to prove people wrong

[@wcgebn]

.....and your quite happy to put peoples lives at risk to "prove" your right and every person on the planet that isn't a narcissistic "woke" lowlife is wrong?... that the most suitable person should get the job because of merit not because they've got a letter saying the purple unicorn said I'm special and the rules don't apply to me.

[@guardianangel4444]

You can do it girl.. U are very strong I swear ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@sodsurendunkhorol1576]

if you are encouraged, then please take the mens firefighter test I dont mean it in a disrespectful way I just want every firefighter to be the most qualified person there is

[@arandommasochist196]

Pls take the mens test if you can do it become a fire fighter

[@doublesid1395]

If you can pass the physical (mens standard) then sure go ahead make your dream come true. If not, then please don't become a firefighter, you will only let a family burn to death when needed.

[@ms.girlllll9806]

In my last year of highschool big senior! And this is something I have in mind but there’s pros and cons for females in this force

[@xhu9675]

What's that? Can I know them?

[@jackjohnson6230]

@@xhu9675 one pro for women to be a fire fighter is they have watered down entry standards The downfall of that is when strength is needed they don't have it which puts lives as risk

[@Theone-kz9vd]

@@jackjohnson6230 There are standards and requirements.

[@guardianangel4444]

@@jackjohnson6230 do u know the fifth strongest firefighter in the world is a woman called Sarah reasoner... U must understand the difference between your opinion and the reality

[@jackjohnson6230]

@@guardianangel4444 reality is men are stronger always have been always will be as for the name you mentioned i bet in reality she is not as strong as you say she is

[@thewanderer6981]

I think you'll be a lot different if they're not wearing sports gear

[@Dremons7]

That first shot looks like a "take your kid to work" day lmao

[@andynonymous6769]

Lots of people in the comments saying women can't be firefighters but how many of you guys are firefighters yourself? I'd trust a firefighter's opinion over anyone here.

[@godrav8818]

Not everyone wants to be a firefighter but we all know that we wouldn't want a woman who can't even lift us or even break a door to come to save us.

[@andynonymous6769]

@@godrav8818 they break doors with their equipment usually. The fireman’s carry isn’t a necessary skill anymore because it puts undue strain on your back: ask any firefighter, they usually just drag victims

[@michaelbauers8800]

It's not complicated. There ARE woman firefighters. It's not that hard to find this out. It's also 100% true, that some men have long underestimated women. Some things never change in that respect. All of these men insisting women can't be firefighters are wrong. As for whether there are watered down requirements for women, that seems to be somewhat true. In the sense some departments did lower standards, to try to allow more women to be firefighters. I don't know the details, this is also easy to find online for the interested. Does that mean they can't do the job? Well, firefighting is a team effort. In all teams, people do play different roles. I work in software, and some people do systems engineering, some people manage, some people handle IT and cyber security and some people like me code. Not everyone codes on the team. Whether this is a valid point in firefighting, I leave that up to actual firefighters to tell us how it is. Which I am not. And let me say, I appreciate people putting their lives on the line for us.

[@user-hf8zv7qw4l]

​@@michaelbauers8800 They are actually right. Females should not be firefighters, you will just endanger the lives of the ones youre going to rescue. Or you could be the ones who will be the casualty. 😂

[@tequillaseals1674]

If a woman can serve this country and deploy multiple times, (like I did for 12.5 years)....we ALSO can be firefighters. Some of You who oppose to women being firefighters wouldn’t stand a chance in that sandbox overseas. I APPROVE OF THIS STATEMENT.

[@obi-wankenobi4056]

Tell me what did you do? Logistics?

[@xenobell2475]

@@obi-wankenobi4056 😭 chill bruh

[@wcgebn]

No one is saying women can't serve their country , you state that to invoke a straw man argument. Woman fighting on the front lines in physical combat would be lambs to the slaughter (examples here : kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y17ckmVpiLmdgqc ). No one is saying women aren't as brave nor as patriotic as men , but if you were fighting alongside men ,which is very very unlikely -you don't state what you did for 12.5 years very deliberately!, you would be causing more harm than good , to state anything different just to assert you b.s. ideology is truly without honour!

[@engine2truck6]

How many enemy did you kill?

[@brendo7363]

I don't care if the whole marine corps goes on estrogen, how tough do you need to be to commit warcrimes on illiterate goat herders? Firefighting actually matters and is too important for a bunch of gender studies parasites to ruin with diversity quotas.

[@ryanpittenger3445]

I'm not trained or treated differently to my male counterparts. Im pushed just as hard.

[@wacodraco1558]

Good then you get the same respect. But ONLY when you’re treated the same in merit putting in the work. The same applies for men. No handouts when lives are at stake. Wish the same could be said entirely for our Marine Core training

[@cynthiaslater7062]

@@wacodraco1558 Same with army training

[@jackjohnson6230]

@@cynthiaslater7062 bs in the army woman have watered down standards

[@cynthiaslater7062]

@@jackjohnson6230 I’m guessing you’re old military?

[@jackjohnson6230]

@@cynthiaslater7062 woman still have watered down standards

[@childrenoftolkien]

Is there a longer version? This was heavily edited.

[@xhu9675]

True

[@asdg199]

fire fight is my favourite spot

[@skybot9998]

A couple of years ago the fire department was on my street. A girl got off the truck and it was laughable. She was about 4 foo 11 and swimming under the bunker gear,barely able to lift anything. The ladder truck driver was female and that's all she did. Thank God for the men. there.

[@davidlawson1989]

Where was this?

[@davidlawson1989]

And are you a firefighter?

[@misterr_chadsgaming9020]

imagine during work you need to pee

[@kayd3414]

Been there. Done that. It SUCKS. There was a crash we were working for HOURS, then had to hang around for cleanup. Definitely thankful that there was some tall grass nearby 🤣

[@velk0mmen]

I see a lot of people that men and women are equal but keep in mind they aren’t the same. In some countries when women fails they still can be a firefighter which can result something bad when something is on fire. Should have done that both train equally

[@Fernando-wh5ml]

"El segundo" is always the first.

[@dougschagena2287]

Ashleigh wants to be one

[@carlosmalhaber9614]

ya me lo

[@sheikhalneri9883]

Me and my family dying in a fire while Jenny(5'1 110 pounds) tries to break the door but its ok we needed diversity more than we needed saving

[@buddysally886]

Just saw that video

[@marinamansfield5872]

@@buddysally886 wait which video? im so confused lol

[@buddysally886]

@@marinamansfield5872 u need to find it, look up what he said might be able to find iy

[@marinamansfield5872]

@@buddysally886 ohhhh ok sorry i got confused, thank you !

[@buddysally886]

@@marinamansfield5872 its pathetic

[@josieltontitan1]

hy

[@genasbondarenko4741]

шххххх

[@E-99x]

She looks like she does power lifting.

[@davidlawson1989]

It's funny to me that so many of you are commenting clearly without even working in the fire service yourselves. You're all the real joke if you actually think that every male firefighter can also carry a grown adult out of a burning building without help. 1) that's not how we do things. Go to a RIT training anf learn. 2) Our male officers are all glorified chair warmers. 3) Our female officers all always bust their asses to stay in shape and bring in new tools and trainings for EVERYONE at the department. I'll take a competent woman over five incompetent but jacked men any day. That's what it's really about. There's always a place for hardworking FFs here, male or female. Come on in if you're willing to toughen up and do the work.

[@musicalliminality]

bless u. you're one of the only people on here that actually sounds reasonable. we need more people like you.

[@rickyp1482]

Betaaaa!!!*

[@mcmoffitt]

Why are all the jobs cherry picked? If this is the case, I want to see female roofers, females doing road work, picking up trash cans, driving tow trucks, working construction, digging ditches... Come on, let's break down those barriers...

[@frillylily8005]

Iv actually seen some women in trash can removal driving an construction. I think more are interning but most don’t want too. most women usually Arnt interested in building houses same how most men Arnt interested in being nurses that’s why 86% of all nurses are women an while 68% of boxers are men. Men and women Usually have different interests. Same like how young boys usually want to play with trucks an girls with dolls.

[@mcmoffitt]

@@frillylily8005 I agree however; there is millions of tax payer money being used on outreach programs and other methods to "level the playing field". The real victims are those utilizing the 911 system and not getting the best. Sex, Race, and Religion should have zero bearing employment. Hire the most qualified.... Period

[@firemansam2449]

I think this job is dangerous I work for the LAPD LOL

[@imnotnormal4818]

My dream is to be a fire fighter 😁

[@fairytaehyung9771]

sAmE 😌💅

[@dashiesbbgurl]

#youcandoit 😊😊🔥

[@marlon8095]

Don't let your dreams be dreams.

[@MythicaIl]

Same I was scared of discrimination at work when I applied but this eased my worries

[@guardianangel4444]

U go girl

[@Boomy2nicce]

Every time a female cried about less female representation I ask of them why don’t they do the job themselves? The answer is always the same. “What I look like doing that?” Exactly you’d look like a tool. You’re weak stay in a job you can excel in not be a burden in.

[@toolio5268]

Nah, women have to work twice as hard in order to prove themselves as a FF because of the rampant discrimination.

[@user-hf8zv7qw4l]

​@@toolio5268 Its because women are naturally weak so they need to work twice as hard but they hardly equal the strength of average men. These female firefighters are just endanfering the lives of the ones they are going to rescue or they could become the casualties themselves.

[@guardianangel4444]

A woman called Sarah reasoner ranked the fifth strongest firefighter in the world this is also a prove that women can work hard as men and all countries that lowing standards for women must make it equal to men standards we want a real equality

[@jenlisa9694]

Yes u are right 100%❤️❤️❤️

[@jeremygabriel2421]

Bish stop lying!

[@Galdring]

I can virtually guarantee you that that was politically correct nonsense. Do you have a link?

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Well actually I don't want to be sexist but people treat women firefighters with more respect then men, they can pass trainning without bieng capable of doing the job

[@NorCaliRailroading2023]

Some can't even knock down a door

[@jackjohnson6230]

What it takes to be a bad ass female fire fighter for a start How about passing the same real standards Men do instead of the easy watered down standards they have now

[@Theone-kz9vd]

They already have these standards

[@jackjohnson6230]

@@Theone-kz9vd women have watered down standards

[@Theone-kz9vd]

@@jackjohnson6230 Maybe in the old American standards.

[@jackjohnson6230]

@@Theone-kz9vd yes certainly not the new watered down standards

[@Theone-kz9vd]

@@jackjohnson6230 Re-read my comment.

[@user-hf8zv7qw4l]

These female firefighters will end up as the casualties themselves. 🤣

[@brendo7363]

What it takes to become a female firefighter: Every other team member must be a 6 foot 2, 220lb man.

[@amberwarnke6434]

no?

[@guardianangel4444]

Not necessarily

[@jackjohnson6230]

@@amberwarnke6434 yes because men have the physical strength women don't

[@amberwarnke6434]

@@jackjohnson6230 Men generally have more, but individual women can be very strong. The strength average only means that most firefighters are going to be men, but an individual woman can also be a 6 for 220 pound woman, there will just be fewer female firefighters

[@godrav8818]

@@amberwarnke6434 then why did they have to lower the standards for women? Gtfo with that PC bs

[@khairizayunus8492]

upin ipin

[@aridaymorales3963]

h

[@ZanOGAL]

Ahahahahah 😂 only 1% of people here will know what ypure talking about

[@aimee9878]

Dude for her body size, she is a super woman!

[@user-hf8zv7qw4l]

lol

[@firemanlittle3653]

like

[@LanhNguyen-fx1fp]

ttg g48

[@guardianangel4444]

Hi

[@illyaedwards7188]

​@@guardianangel4444 Hi

[@danguee1]

Women firefighters are badass, inspirational heroes. Male firefighters are just doing a job they're trained for.

[@YourBigSisterJay]

Men firefighters are inspiring as well. I'm not saying this because I'm a guy. I'm a girl. I just think that firefighters in general are amazing and need to be shown respect.

[@illyaedwards7188]

@@YourBigSisterJay I bet you would want to be rescued by a male firefighter.

[@YourBigSisterJay]

@@illyaedwards7188 Well i don't really think i would care because i would be in a fire and also I'm 12.🤣

[@YourBigSisterJay]

I don't wanna man yet.🤣

[@illyaedwards7188]

@@YourBigSisterJay your 12, I guess a woman firefighter could carry you then.

[@Jaquass]

Women want equality, but with lower standards, lower risks & lower responsibilities. Tee-hee!

[@emmanuelawosusi3276]

wildland firefighting for me

[@guardianangel4444]

Most women want equal standards

[@emmanuelawosusi3276]

@@guardianangel4444 ok

[@carriejones7553]

They don’t though. If stations lower standards that could actually end in a lawsuit…

[@illyaedwards7188]

@@carriejones7553 in some countries they probably lower the standards for women, but women should pass the same standards as the men.

[@dickmasheter1325]

there is zero chance id want this woman saving me compared to just an average man

[@JESUSCHRYSLER5512]

HOORAY, MORE PIZZA AND SODA POP FOR ME, 🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@frillylily8005]

You shore? The average American man is less fit than she is most are considered overweight an live a lifestyle that doesn’t involve much movment while the lady in the vidoe is very in shape. Most American men Arnt even fit to serve in the army even without lowering the standards

[@Jabs-yr7bj]

Me and my family dying in a fire because they sent a female firefighter to rescue us.

[@Theone-kz9vd]

Keep on capping

[@guardianangel4444]

Good for them but u still alive😐

[@snowcocoaz]

@@Theone-kz9vd yeah

[@fuckmondays2300]

@@Theone-kz9vd 😂

[@PobitroMon]

😂😂😂😂

[@bwghall1]

I did not see her up a 100-foot ladder, rescue an 18 stone man and bring him down safely. or is that a mans job!!!

[@km-kl3lg]

Blah, Blah, Blah. Are you even a firefighter or why are you even talking?

[@erenarmin6403]

18 stone - okay britty

[@marinamansfield5872]

she can lift more then you lol

[@anonumosGirl]

Shut up

[@guardianangel4444]

Your comment make no sense.. U are sexist

[@patmyles4776]

If only we had all female firefighter crews. The world would be such a safer place.

[@strangedays4]

Such a juvenile statement

[@marinamansfield5872]

but why? lol that kinda seems like a weird statement to make, like what if we just had both woman and men working together to make the world a safer space?

[@anonumosGirl]

@@marinamansfield5872 "Hulett and associates completed a study involving both male and female firefighters. Of those that participated, 457 of them were female. Their results involving women in the fire service are illustrated below. Of the 457 female firefighters interviewed, 84.7% stated they had experienced different treatment based on gender, 50.8% reported isolation and exclusion on the job, 42.9% experienced verbal harassment, 30.2% experienced sexual advances, and 6.3% experienced sexual assault." from an article I found online. Not saying females and males should be separated, but currently most female firefighters are not treated with the respect they deserve from their coworkers.

[@njay6494]

@@anonumosGirl While I do agree that women should be getting more respect in the firefighting industry because they are humans, firefighting has been a male dominated job for a long time and for a very valid reason: physical attributes. On average men are stronger, faster, more muscular, bigger and more bone density, plus men are less likely to panic when heading into a scary situation such as rushing into a building on fire. It's why men are perfect for the job.

[@jackjohnson6230]

@@anonumosGirl when women are held to the same standards as men and do the same physical and dangerous jobs as men then women will get respect At the moment its but a joke and a ego trip for women

[@Det0xGaming420]

How is she going to save me or any of her firefighter bros if that guy training her goes out there is no chance she's tossing him over her shoulder and saving both of them no contest.

[@marcopolo-xj4yw]

She won’t and she can’t. This is a job only for men.

[@marinamansfield5872]

@@marcopolo-xj4yw not really, i mean its better fit for man, but you can be a woman figherfighter, you just have to work extra hard to reach to that standard. and being a man doesnt automatically qualify you to be a figherfigher either, there are a lot of guys who happen to be weaker then her so 🤷‍♀🤷‍♀ if anything its about ability, if you can do all that is needed your good, regardless of gender

[@marcopolo-xj4yw]

@@marinamansfield5872 Dream on! A 5’ woman could try and work out for the next five years and she could never carry the weight of a 6’2 muscular male. And I don’t think any male should be allowed to be a firefighter either. Only the strongest and fittest. It’s a question of public safety.

[@marinamansfield5872]

@@marcopolo-xj4yw you would be surprised man, again its a question of ability regardless of sex imo, i know a lot of weightlifters from high school that can lift 230, and considering my brother who is 6'2 weighs 140. seems like it passes the mark by far, also the chick i knew who could lift 230 wasnt 5'2 but was more closer to 5'5 5'4. it's not even a dream on thing, its literally achievable lol, as long as you meet the requirements.

[@Theone-kz9vd]

@@marcopolo-xj4yw They have requirements and standards. Go educate yourself.

[@porterwake3898]

If my house is on fire and my family is inside, please send men.

[@kayd3414]

It's alright. Us ladies will still save you, even if you're sexist. Fortunately NFPA holds us to the exact same standard.

[@porterwake3898]

@@kayd3414, no you won't. You can't lift men up.

[@kayd3414]

@@porterwake3898 coming from a weakling like you that means nothing 😂

[@fuckmondays2300]

@@kayd3414 big 🧢

[@toolio5268]

@@porterwake3898 ​ What part of “held to the same standards” do you not understand?

[@90ritesh90]

If someone house is in fire , they would not want a female fighter for the rescue.

[@davidlawson1989]

IN my experience they actually don't care.

[@illyaedwards7188]

​@@davidlawson1989they do care, men are much stronger.

[@jake42731]

If im in a fire and i see a 5'2 100lb woman come to rescue me, ill just jump into the fire lmao

[@kc4456]

I cant tell if you’re being sexist or not?

[@aarong.8734]

If you're that dumb to refuse help, then please, go for it

[@jake42731]

@@aarong.8734 A small frail girl isnt going to be helping anyone, she should never have been hired in the first palce

[@Nineonebun]

@@jake42731 Howdy. So.. the only job in firefighting isn't carrying folks out. You can also control and adjust pressure and flow rates, you can assist with extrications, you can provide emergency medical services, ventilation, etc. Smaller females in the service have important jobs too. Try to broaden your perspective of females in general, you may one day require to interact with one to get a job done.

[@elodieboucher4633]

@@jake42731 first of all she is not frail she obviously works out a lot because she was in very good shape. Second of all she did all of the training and did it very well. I think you should open your eyes so you can see that woman can do a lot more thank you think they can.

[@paige1955]

Men: We're stronger than women. We are not the same. We have to let everyone know that. Also men: Wait why is physical training different for women :'(

[@guardianangel4444]

What u mean

[@illyaedwards7188]

@@guardianangel4444 they lower the standards for women

[@sodsurendunkhorol1576]

well yeah, people don't need a woman who had to train less or had to meet lower standards be a firefighter and then try and fail to knock a door down or something in a life or death situation

[@guardianangel4444]

@@illyaedwards7188 aaa they must make the standard of women equal to men standard this is not fair😔

[@guardianangel4444]

@@sodsurendunkhorol1576 and yes this is why we want a real equality... I mean equal standards for both gender

[@corbard8766]

Lower standards

[@JensSchraeder]

I would never work With a female firefighter

[@lovelife2186]

She strong female tho

[@user-hf8zv7qw4l]

She is much much weaker than average male firefighter.

[@mmmail1969]

I have more relevant physical skill than any female "fire fighter" and mine stop at understanding a box of matches! 🤣

[@janolableach9114]

Men are still stronger. And yes it matters.

[@km-kl3lg]

No it doesnt. Are you even a firefighter or do you just like to talk Bullshit?

[@janolableach9114]

@@km-kl3lg Did you see the size difference between the men and women? It takes one man to carry a 175lb dummy but would take atleast three women. That puts people at risk. Why so mad?

[@km-kl3lg]

@@janolableach9114 Because unlike you I am actually a firefighter and have been for years. Have some respect for the people who risk their lives even for people like you and have some respect for the profession.

[@janolableach9114]

@@km-kl3lg So you're mad at the truth? 😂

[@janolableach9114]

@@km-kl3lg kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJPCiIx9qb9qgZY 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@flameplasmainian85724]

Just because most women are biologically weaker than men doesn’t mean we should be put down. We were put down for centuries. Biology shouldn’t get in the way of peoples jobs.

[@porterwake3898]

They aren't being put down, you are being given a reality check. Women are not as strong, fast, or physically enduring as men. Do not send a women firefighting team to my house if my family is trapped inside, send the men.

[@flameplasmainian85724]

@@porterwake3898 ok I take it back your right

[@snowcocoaz]

@@porterwake3898 bro we’re already in reality. where tf are you

[@snowcocoaz]

@@flameplasmainian85724 wait till this guy realizes that there have been many people (including men) saved from a fire by women.

[@snowcocoaz]

@@flameplasmainian85724 your claim was right, don’t take it back. he is not right. he is in his own world thinking that women will never be as a strong as an average male.