LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Fire Department is drawing attention to an issue it’s hoping to change soon.
Right now, there’s at least one fire station that’s so old it can’t add co-ed dorms and, as a result, can’t assign women firefighters to work there.
Captain Jamill Greene shows the tight quarters in his firehouse.
“Next, this is our dorm area. It’s kind of old school. A lot of the newer firehouses in the city have their own bedrooms. This is an open dorm concept. Once again, all three shifts sleeping here. We try to spread each other out,” Greene said.
Fire Station Engine 23 serves the Iroquois neighborhood and now it has outgrown the nearly 70-year-old facility.
“So, as you can see, there’s not much room here. Probably the smallest locker room in the city as well. But that goes with having the small firehouse,” Greene said.
The small space isn’t the only issue.
“Built in 1955, long before females were a part of the Louisville Fire Department and we can’t accommodate females at this firehouse,” said Lt. Col. Assistant Chief Bobby Cooper.
He explains the 1950s were a different time and women weren’t as interested in the profession.
“Also, part of that work is our demographics have changed. We have traditionally been, personnel made up of, of white men and we realize that there’s benefit in a diverse work group,” Cooper said.
He says the building is no longer enough for their personnel now, especially in their efforts to attract more women to the force or even the number of calls they receive that aren’t just about battling fires.
“Research indicates and shows that diverse work groups are more creative and they’re better at problem-solving and that’s exactly what we do day in and day out — is people call us and solve their problems. And, if we are a diverse work group, will be much more effective and efficient in solving those problems, whether it has to do with race or gender,” Cooper said.
In April, during his budget address, Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, acknowledged the need for long-term investments with future budgets needing to make investments like replacing outdated firetrucks and firehouses.
“Again, I can’t emphasize enough. I think the mayor’s administration does a great job with this. Chief O’Neil does a great job of being transparent and being open and honest, that we are looking to make our personnel more diverse. We are looking for a more diverse work group. And part of that is being emboldened and our facilities to improve that diversity, no matter what demographic you come from but specifically, female, to make this career more enticing and more attractive to females, because right now, the truth is it hasn’t been,” Cooper said.
In their efforts, they’re hoping to evolve in a new direction and pave a path for future firefighters’ call to serve, be it man or woman.
“Our slogan, hard days, harder nights. So it could be anywhere from ten runs during the day and six out of the bedroom. It’s just you never know,” Greene said.
Cooper said the department has 20 women firefighters. He also explains that the department, the city and various city offices are in the early stages of gathering information and research before taking the next steps. Out of 21 fire stations in the department, Cooper said five facilities are less than 50-years-old and seven are over 100-years-old.