TampaBay.com
TAMPA, Fla. — Mayor Bob Buckhorn does not believe there are systemic gender issues within his city’s fire department, but he said Tuesday he has instructed the fire chief to look into changes that would give female firefighters more privacy.
Meanwhile, Tampa Fire Rescue Chief Tom Forward has issued a memo saying firefighters need to wear gym shorts and proper undergarments when in the department’s open dorms, where both male and female firefighters sleep during their 24-hour shifts. “All attire must be in good taste and in no way disrupts the elements of good order and discipline,” Forward wrote.
The changes came after the Tampa Bay Times detailed concerns from female firefighters about discrimination and a hostile work environment within the department. Issues raised ranged from the lack of designated female bathrooms at a majority of fire stations to retaliation for reporting problems. The women spoke to theTimes after news of a personnel chief retiring amid a sexual harassment investigation broke last month.
Full story: Mayor says Tampa Fire gender issues not systemic, but changes in the works