[NYCVirago]

Was there anything stopping her or other women from immediately volunteering when the planes hit ? I thought I remember that some firefighters were off duty when they reported.

I don't know the exact figures, but a bunch of firemen who were killed on 9/11 were off duty, and simply showed up at the WTC to help. There's no reason that the female firefighters couldn't have done the same thing.

[phasma proeliator]

"There's no reason that the female firefighters couldn't have done the same thing."

I understand your point but...
There is a reason none showed up....
and that's the reason they don't belong on the department.

[Steve_Seattle]

"a bunch of firemen killed on 9/11 were off duty."

Some retired firefighters even showed up, but I don't know if any were killed. The firefighter in the famous picture with Bush on top of the rubble was retired, and just showed up to help out.