The department is currently considering the idea of offering all female members a yearly Mammogram. However, if we do not get the necessary support for this project it will not become a reality. All interested parties should contact Captain Shelly Nickelson at 202-673-3726 or by email shelly.nickelson@dc.gov.
Local 36
Women’s Advisory Committee attends the 12th International Conference
of Women in Fire Service
Local 36 sent six of its Women’s Advisory Committee members to the 12th International Conference of Fire Service Women in Oakland California. Also in attendance at the conference was Detria Liles Hutchinson the Diversity Management Officer for DCFEMS. The conference attracted about 300 of the nations female fire fighters, officer and chief officers to Oakland for the conference. Although, I have attended several of the conferences put on by Women In the Fire Service, This was my first time attending it as a member of its Executive Board, which made my attendance during the conference even more enjoyable.
It was apparent that the conference committee made a huge effort to provide a wide spectrum of educational workshops, training sessions and networking opportunities for the conference attendees such as: Live fire training, ABC’s of assessment centers, critical incident stress management, aquatic rescue program and other training opportunities.
Our presence at the conference also reminded us of how blessed we are to have an organization like Local 36 that has provided us with a platform to voice the concerns of our members. During the conference we met many women from other departments that shared horror stories about how they receive absolutely no support from their department or union.
The most memorable event during the conference was the closing ceremony. During the closing ceremony a homeless man entered the ballroom and requested to read a thank you letter and poem he wrote the night before. Below we have provided a copy of the letter and poem written by a man who called himself Orlando.
Dear Ladies:
I am writing this although you may not remember me. I will never forget you. I am a homeless man in Oakland. I also have a wife out in the streets with me. But during your convention in Oakland, thanks to your generosity and caring hearts, it has been the most comfortable and hunger less week in our two years of homelessness. Starting from the first day you arrived to your last we have been able to stay in a motel every day as well as eat quite well, all because you cared.
P.S. I hate your conference is over because you know that bed & TV was nice (smile)
Orlando’s Poem
Titled: Women Fire Fighters
As the lights flash and the siren roars,
Stop and look sometimes, every now and then
You’ll see a special person
She’ll go into a burning building
Side by side with any man
Carrying her hose, staring into flames
Letting the fire know she’s taken a stand
She’ll go into a burning house
To save a child, husband or wife
Without ever thinking of her own or
Even her life
I’ve heard it said “Women can’t do the same job as men.
In response I ask, since when and where have you been?
So here’s some plain straight truth
When the bell rings, just like the men
She’ll grab her helmet, coat and boots.
So the next time you think women’s lives and jobs are lighter
Remember the women FIRE FIGHTER.