Posted on: Sunday, June 5, 2005
Women interested in fighting fire sought
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
When Honolulu firefighter Debbie Wayman tried out for her job 16 years ago, she had to climb 11 flights of stairs wearing a heavy jacket and carrying 50 pounds of hose in 35 seconds or less.
What: Women interested in becoming firefighters can sign up for a free four-hour workshop until 11:59 p.m. tomorrow. The "Can You Take the Heat?" workshop will be conducted in two sessions — 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. — on Saturday at the Fire Department training center.
To reserve a seat: Online: www4.honolulu.gov/ She loves the job but knows it's not for everyone.
"It's exciting, it's fun, but it has moments of sheer terror," Wayman said. The work can be sweaty and demanding but is ultimately very satisfying, she said.
In 1989, Wayman became only the second woman to become a firefighter for the Honolulu Fire Department. Now there are six women among Honolulu's 1,090 firefighters.
She's not surprised that the numbers aren't bigger because it's a physically challenging job and not a traditional career for women.
Wayman was once a lifeguard, but in 1989 she decided to follow her husband into the fire ranks. He had joined three years earlier.
Today, at 46, she keeps fit through running, swimming and other workouts. Wayman is assigned to the Waialua fire station, in the community where she lives with her husband and their sons, ages 8 and 12.
"I get to help my neighbors. I get to serve my own home community," she said.
The physical agility test for the job is still tough, but it's now designed to be similar to what firefighters do daily, she said. It includes carrying equipment, running out hose, using a sledgehammer to break through a door, dragging a 175-pound mannequin and getting through a darkened obstacle course.
Wayman sees more girls routinely excelling in sports these days, so she expects that more women will be attracted to her line of work, even though the competition is fierce.
"I couldn't sit in a chair all day and be a secretary; I'm just not wired for it," she said.
Reach Robbie Dingeman at 535-2429 or rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.
Now, she's helping to explain what it's like to be a firefighter, conducting a special city-sponsored workshop for women who might be interested in following in her footsteps.
For women only
cityhallonline and click on the link "Women in Firefighting Workshop," or call Lois at 527-5571. The city will accept applications for firefighter recruits from June 12-16. It's the first time in three years that the city has accepted applications.
