[phasma proeliator]

Minneapolis.... lowering the standards to allow for "political correctness".

at least that's what I read...

[Steve_Seattle]

"Minneapolis . . . lowering the standards"

That's how it looks to me - looks like a quota job all the way.

[Rome2000]

I'm a fire inspector and have seen a few of the women firefighters, they were in excellent shape.

I say never lower the physical standards, but if the women pass, they should be able to join.

The bottom line why the NYFD has so few women is they never lowered the standards. Those other cities have.

[maxwellp]

"....pulling a 165-pound dummy". Many people, particularly large men, weigh more than 165 pounds. And "pulling" bothers me. A female fire person (see how PC I'm being), therefore, cannot pick up a 165-pound or more person, so she's going to drag the person. Well I live in a house that has a rather long staircase. So she can't pick up my husband who weighs a little over 200 lbs., therefore, she'll drag him down the staircase! As a woman, I recognize my lack of strength. If I decided I wanted to join any Fire Department, it would be as a person capable of doing something where I'd make a contribution, e.g., cook, clean, paperwork or answering calls.