The Local 36 Women’s Advisory Committee is dedicated to helping improving the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services through the involvement and success of women. This will be accomplished by the following:

1)  Providing information and education

2)  Networking & support for each other

3)  Advocating for constructive changes

4)  Developing and recommending policy guidelines 

In the spring of 1998 the Washington DC Fire Fighters Association Local-36 led by President Raymond Sneed established the Women's Advisory Committee.  This committee was originally formed to help channel the concerns of women fire fighters to the union leadership.  It also offered education and training for not only women fire fighters but the entire local.  President Sneed appointed fire fighter Tomi Rucker to chair the committee and get it running.  Once a month a meeting will be held at Engine 24 to discuss and work on different projects.

The WAC was directly responsible for the writing and implementation of the current maternity policy.  We are also responsible for the ordering of uniform skirts and maternity clothing. We have been very active in the the recruitment of women into the fire service. The committee has established an outreach program with the House of Ruth which is a home for homeless and battered women in our community.  The newly appointed Women's Program Manager position currently in place was a direct result of a request made by this committee to the Fire Chief.  We have found that the problem solving function of our committee has been one of the most important component.