Everett, Wash.
Published: Monday, September 29, 2008

EVERETT FIREFIGHTERS

Lesser standard unfair to citizens

 The Everett City Council recently voted to adopt a lesser standard for its fire department. Before, the Everett Fire Department had the most difficult physical entry test in the entire state, possibly in the entire country. This rigorous physical test had ensured that only very physically strong candidates progressed to the interview portion of the hiring process. This tough rite of passage was color blind and indifferent to gender. Its sole purpose was to sort the strong from the not-so-strong. For this reason, Everett firefighters, as a group, are among the strongest in the country.

The newly adopted test meets all the requirements that have been accepted as minimum standards throughout our industry. It is, nevertheless, widely regarded by many professional firefighters as a joke. The new test does an inadequate job of screening candidates for the true physical requirements of the job. Firefighting is heavy physical work.

The driving force behind the change is pressure from diversity groups who threaten lawsuits if the city does not lower its standards to allow more women to pass our test. I am speaking out against this. As a firefighter, I welcome all races and genders to our proud family if they are capable of performing the job.

The service we provide is affected by our physical abilities. To some degree, my life and health is dependent on the physical abilities of my fellow firefighters. Up until now, Everett's leaders have supported this idea. I have admired their courage for maintaining a higher standard amidst the pressure to do otherwise.

It is a mistake to trade away physical competence in order to ensure diversity. The issue is a hot potato that has forced our leaders to their knees.

The irony is that the whole idea is based on making things fair. Are citizens fairly served by less physically capable firefighters? Just because everyone is doing something, that doesn't make it the right thing.

Dave Salvadalena
Snohomish
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA