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was . - wArertutfttetet1ePteetf1'f?yE'2-','-8-t Opinion It is just not good enough. 'U '4 For at least a year now, Waterloo city hall has recognized that there is a serious inequity in at least one of their departments - there is a serious shortage of female f1rertgh- ters in Waterloo. In fact, there are no female ft,reftghters in Waterloo, or in all of Waterloo Region, for that matter. Recognizing the inequity had to be addressed, the city's personnel department surveyed other North American cities that have been more successful at attracting women into the ranks of firefighters. The American city of Seattle employs between 50 and 60 female firefighters." Waterloo adopted the physical and strength requirements of Seattle, hoping to attract more women applicants. Additionally, the city advertised the new requirements months before applications were accepted, reasoning that women interested in the positions would use the time to start getting in shape. When the city advertised for the positions twhich will be filled largely to staff the city's third fire station to be built on Berta Place off Northfield Drive by early next year), 420 people applied. There were 12 applications from women. Only two women made it to the aptitude tests. They both passed, and went on to the physical tests. If an applicant fails to meet any part of the strength testing, they are not permitted tn finish the test. One of the two women passed the physical tests. Even then, she was not hired for the first group of nine firefighters. However she will be eligible, along with 60 or 70 men, to be hired in the next round in September. The physical tests are not easy. The successful. candidate must bench press 100 lbs.; perform flite chinups, 10 pushups and 25 bent knee situps; run 1.5 miles; and rope lift a 50 lb weight repeatedly. , _ The ii"jfof'iisri'tie allows women candidates an advantage - they have two years to meet the physical requirements. During that time, they are enrolled in a training program. ..' Waterloo should look at doing the same. Given on-the-job physical training, many women would be able to meet the requirements. We recognize the city does not wish to adopt affirmative action policies, preferring instead to look for the "best qualified candidates". Need to be more fair But let's face it - most women today are stuck in "pink collar ghetto" jobs such as secretarial work and nursing where they have little opportunity to develop the high level of physical fitness required of firefighters. We assume the city is serious in recognizing that women have a right to an equal chance at the job, and not just paying lipservioe. Ifso, women will need the opportunity to be equal - and frankly, that sometimes means giving women a short-term advantage while they get up to speed. , -iiTTroiitiiij Gli gudget decision. Council can call for en affirmative action program within the fire department, and allocate the funds for a rrtnetss instructor. -. . . . The idea of making the fitness requirements available in advance was a good idea, and recognized the reality that most female applicants will need time to prepare for demanding physical requirements. But it was not good enough, and more is obviously needed to achieve fairness. um. um luv"- T Ming It the "If If the _ building. Open Monday to Friday Kan to 5 pm. thshoeriptitm rates 826 yearly ; in Canada, 830 outside Chii'ifficle Bill Km You Said It, "I didn't put in air conditioning, so I'm paying for it in his heat. I didn't wax the family station wagon." Second Class Mail Registration Number 5540 established 1854 {hummus} Is+slurt1Ltt_Jitetr Jerry Pm. Tara Hallman What haven’t you done this summer that you meant to do? Rick Lawton Oakville "Study. I've done too much party- ing. I didn't try all the different kinds of beer at the Huether." tradition ofaeettrmr and Entity but does aan-kd. the MH- 'ity of error. C-rtruttive window of news. opinions and advertising 1heChmesideu-dafits itil {I 'iiiicl> 'llrltCllt, Ingrid Juman Waterloo f..ut, one“ “Learn to duck jibe my windsurfer. I haven't picked up any women with my windsurfer." Ihe Funny Group Incorporated 215 Fairing " 8.. kitehener, Ont. Paul Winner N} Ito-"r . Leon Kehl Floradale