Buffalo Plans Firehouse Changes for Female Firefighters

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Most of Buffalo’s firehouses are outdated, built decades before the first woman joined the ranks in the early 1980s. Since then, women have been forced to share facilities with the guys.

Everyone agrees that needs to change. But when, and at what cost?

There are 24 female firefighters among the ranks of the Buffalo Fire Department. And that number is only expected to grow, as the city pushes to diversify its force.

The problem, though, is just six of the city’s 20 fire houses are able to accommodate women with separate bathrooms and sleeping quarters.

In most instances, like here at station 4 on the city’s south side, women must share facilities with men.

“It caught me by surprise, so my office filed a resolution asking the city to looking at the buildings that don’t have the facilities already and possibly retrofit those facilities,” said Common Councilman Christopher Scanlon.

“Years ago, you probably only saw a female firefighters here and there,” he said. “But in recent years, the city is preaching diversity, advertising these exams to people of all backgrounds and different genders, so I think it’s important to have these facilities.”

The cost for updating or renovating firehouses varies depending on the source. Firefighter union leaders say houses need major work, and the cost could be in the tens of millions. Councilman Richard Fontana said the upgrades could be done for less than $5 million. The project’s cost and its scope are expected to be discussed in the coming weeks and months.

Buffalo Fire Commissiohner Garnell Whitfield said during a budget meeting last week he wants to make unisex areas that can be shared by men and women.

“I’m not really interested in making dedicated space for women in the department,” he said. “What I’m interested in is providing privacy for all the members of our department.”

Whitfield said new fire houses are updated, and allow for privacy for everyone.



There are other issues as well with some of these antiquated fire houses. Leaky roofs, holes in the ceiling.

“Those are some of the concerns I’ve raised with people in the department. I said we have people going out every day and risking their lives and they’re coming back to their quarters and they don’t have a decent place to rest at night. So it’s something we need to look at, is upgrading the facilities overall. ))

Updating 14 fire houses all at once is not possible. Both Scanlon and Fontana agree the city needs to take a longterm approach.

In the short term, the issue is set to be discussed at a finance committee meeting at 10 a.m., Tuesday in Council Chambers.

It’s the first step in what is expected to a lengthy process.