The Role Of Women In The Fire Service

Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton has been a firefighter for eighteen years. She decides which of her colleagues rush into a burning building and how they confront the blaze. She makes the call to evacuate when she feels the options have been exhausted, even if it means leaving the injured behind. She has managed emergencies that have shocked us and moved us, and made decisions that seem impossible. Her book takes us to the heart of firefighting, and reveals the skills and qualities that are essential to surviving - and even thriving - in such a fast-paced and emotionally-charged environment. It immerses us in this extraordinary world; from scenes of devastation and crisis, through triumphs of bravery, to the quieter moments when these assumed heroes question themselves, their choices, and decisions made in the most unforgiving circumstances. Ultimately, we are asked to step into their boots. In the face of urgency and uncertainty, would you respond in an analytical manner or trust your instincts? How would you decide who lives and who dies?

The stress that comes with being a first responder has been known to lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide. However, few clinicians are informed about these health concerns and how to adequately treat them in this population. Therefore, there is an urgent need for practitioners to understand the latest information regarding treatments that will be useful to this specific population. Mental Health Intervention and Treatment of First Responders and Emergency Workers is an essential reference source that focuses on the latest research for diagnosing and treating mental health issues experienced by emergency personnel and seeks to generate awareness and inform clinicians about the unique circumstances encountered by these professionals. While highlighting topics including anxiety disorders and stress management, this book is ideally designed for clinicians, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, practitioners, medical professionals, EMTs, law enforcement, fire departments, military, academicians, researchers, policymakers, and students seeking current research on psychological therapy methods regarding first responders.

The USFA convened the symposium on "Health and Safety Issues of the Female Emergency Responder," in Rosslyn, Virginia, in October 1994. Twenty-seven participants representing a wide range of interest and involvement in fire and emergency response services were brought together to share their expertise and experiences in specific health and safety issues. The participants were charged with the task of narrowing the focus of health and safety concerns and developing strategies to address the issues of women in emergency response services today. They provided a "snap shot" of the situation for women in the response services and identified the critical issues to address in the immediate future. The report that follows is a result of their deliberations and experience.