After a 2016 investigation revealed gender bias and cultural problems within the Vancouver Fire Department, Chief Joe Molina had this to say:
“We have to get better.”
Now, 17 months later, the chief points to improvements made in the wake of the report:
Stations were changed in ways the chief says better accommodates men and women working together.
The department hosted 12 anti-harassment trainings for new recruits, supervisors and line staff.
Another woman has been hired as a firefighter, bringing the total to six. There are 176 firefighters in the Vancouver Fire Department.
Still, the chief and at least one of the women acknowledge more needs to be done. The 2016 investigation pointed to systemic problems within the fire department’s culture that left women feeling unwelcome at best, and unsafe at worst in the male-dominated department.