Letters to the Editor
Job Performance
Queens Village, N. Y.:
As a New York City fire fighter and a holder of a master’s degree in public administration, I feel compelled to respond to R. L. Nailen’s article, “Job Performance Improved by Making Time Studies.”
Taylor’s approach to job studies can most effectively be applied to static, routine types of work. Granted frequent drills and training sessions will improve a company’s performance, but these drills are held in a controlled environment. If a time study is to have validity, it should be performed in an actual setting. Variables such as the weather, traffic, type of structure involved, and cooperation—or lack of same—from the citizenry must be included in this efficiency equation.
Too often, the professional public administrator is willing to accept the theory and ignore the fact. I hope that future timemotion studies of our job take into account the many variables we must encounter.
Patrick T. Reynolds
Women Fire Fighters
Watchung, N. J.:
As the interested wife of a professional fire captain, I also read Fire Engineering.
Retired Chief John Townley’s article has prompted me to reply to his assailment of all women working in the fire-related services.
My first objection is the statement that there is no need for women fire fighters in the career fire services. Wake up, chief! Many volunteer departments effectively use their women members in all phases of the job. This statement leads to the conclusion that women who want to join a paid fire department, and who can do the job, should be allowed to enjoy the same salary for the exact same risk.
Chief Townley in his article depicts aspiring female fire fighers as Mydol-popping baby machines who are threatening to deprive the entire male population of a job in the fire service.
This brings me to the outrageous statements comparing the average male fire fighter to an outstanding woman fire fighter. Most chiefs have much less than the average male to work with. One good example of this statement is the number of fire fighters who are of retirement age. Do these men have the ability for superhuman efforts in rescue work? No! A strong, young, dedicated woman can and will in the near future perform these strenuous and dangerous rescue operations beside her male counterparts.
I would like to urge all you women who are interested in any branch of fire-related services to try and realize your goal. You are physically capable! You do have the intellect! You do have stamina and dedication, but most of all, you have the federal equal opportunity laws to protect your rights!
Mary J. Kimmel
