Chicago FD exam discrimination, here we go again

[grumpy grizzly]

A female  candidate for CFD has filed a discrimiatory lawsuit saying the physical test was unfair. This canidate had a physical conditioning trainer for 2 years but she failed the test. She states the test does not show the requirements of the job. OK taking a line and running back to a hydrant for a hook-up is not job related. As good as this jobis, politics will fuck it up.  :'( :'(

 

[68jk09]

WGN
Woman sues city over firefighter test
A firefighter candidate says physical test discriminates against women
Lisa Klein

WGN News

3:44 PM CDT, July 19, 2011

CHICAGO

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A woman has filed a law suit against the city of Chicago for sex discrimination in the hiring process used by the Chicago Fire Dept.

According to a statement from her attorneys, Samantha Vasich, 27, said she worked with her personal trainer on the requirements for the test. The physical test given to potential firefighters by the CFD includes arm lifts, arm endurance and leg lifts.

Vasich says was able to do everything when she took it. However, she received a letter from the city telling her she failed.

"I thought it must be a mistake," Vasich said in the statement.

The statement said the letter didn't include anything about the actual test results and Vasich was unable to get any further information from the city. The city would also not give her contact information for the private firm that administered the tests.

The lawsuit alleges that the test used by the CFD is discriminatory towards women and is not applicable to the actual job.
Many other major cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Dallas, use the Candidate Physical Abilities Test. This test consists of eight events that simulate actual firefighting. According to the statement, more women pass this test than the one the CFD uses.

The Chicago Tribune reported in June that a little over 2% of Chicago's firefighters are women. Nationally, women make up 3.6% of the force.

Chicago's first women firefighters were hired only 25 years ago. Their physical test was developed with a written test in 1996. The written test was shown to be discriminatory in regards to race and has since been thrown out.
"I just want a fair shot," said Vasich in the statement. "All the women who want to protect our communities as firefighters deserve that chance. That's the outcome I want to see from this suit."

The Chicago Fire Dept. has not commented on the suit.

Copyright ? 2011, WGN-TV

http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-women-firefighter-lawsuit-july19,0,3387625.story

 

[grumpy grizzly]

I was under the thought that CFD was also CPAT

 

[Zing the grumpygrizzly jr]

people need to realize one thing....when the shit hits the fan and the fire is glowing and the building is falling.....its not gonna stop and let you get out safely....you need to have the strength and the heart to keep going....not turn around and sue the city to make the test easier.....making things easier is what gets brothers and sisters on the job killed........so why is it that one female fails and it is a test against women...how did the other women get on the job.....i have been going around and taking every test that i can to be a firefighter in the states...something I am already certified to do since I went into the military....came back home and paid my way through a Illinois fire academy...now I have to go to different fire dept and practically beg to be let on the job...something i was born and am fully certified to do.....not once have I ever thought of the easy way and just sue a department to get my job...i want the respect and have to go through the process and earn it like everybody else has before me......

 

[Bulldog]

people need to realize one thing....when the shit hits the fan and the fire is glowing and the building is falling.....its not gonna stop and let you get out safely....you need to have the strength and the heart to keep going....not turn around and sue the city to make the test easier.....making things easier is what gets brothers and sisters on the job killed........so why is it that one female fails and it is a test against women...how did the other women get on the job.....i have been going around and taking every test that i can to be a firefighter in the states...something I am already certified to do since I went into the military....came back home and paid my way through a Illinois fire academy...now I have to go to different fire dept and practically beg to be let on the job...something i was born and am fully certified to do.....not once have I ever thought of the easy way and just sue a department to get my job...i want the respect and have to go through the process and earn it like everybody else has before me......

Very well said!