LAFD swears in first female chief

The Los Angeles Fire Department swore in Kristin Crowley as the new chief on Friday. Crowley is the first female chief of the LAFD and she will be leading the nation's third-largest firefighting force as the push for diversity continues. 

Crowley's appointment forces us to look at the conditions of female firefighters in a predominantly male-dominated space. Crowley joined the department when she was 23, recounting the experiences she points out how she was questioned every step of the way, her skills were doubted and she always had to prove her appointment. Being a female, Corely had to put in extra hours than her male counterparts. Out of the newest batch of probationary firefighters in LA, Crystal Reneau and Hailey Denny are the only two women to graduate their class. The city swore in 3,700 firefighters put of which only 100 are women, nationwide female firefighters make up only 8% of career hires increasing the pressure to succeed. 

Pointing out their concerns, Reneau and Denny point out that even if they know all the techniques and training like the back of their hands, things like the size of the equipment are a major concern. Reneau says that the equipment used is not made for someone who is say 5'4 and 100 maybe 130 pounds soaking wet. Crowley says that although the way LAFD treats its female firefighters has changed over the past two decades, there is still room for growth. The LAFD has also faced multiple allegations of sexism and harassment which has got to change. Crowley believes the best way to change this culture is by bringing in more diversity, for the same purpose the department is offering girls camp and outreach programs. 

Source: CBS News