"Blue Collar" -- Mechanical Abilities and Firefighting

Firefighting with its Tough "Blue Collar" Mechanics--Panic Bar Forcible Entry Drop Bolt

There is no getting around the mix of technical mechanical knowledge and "blue collar" abilities ( as many would call them) that Firefighting requires

AND These skills have to be done under generally rushed and often dangerous conditions

Our society has more and more complicated and sturdy security devices on doors, especially on commercial buildings and some new condo areas

It requires a combination of knowledge, strength and keeping your cool under pressure to get these damn doors open during a real emergency situation where there are all kinds of distractions and lives will be at stake


Firemen also have to learn to work together and firefighting training has to be refreshed and updated all the time

ALL this work and then having to enter a burning building itself!

This is  NOT a job for the indecisive or faint hearted or people who slack off keeping up to date with what kind of "blue collar" skills necessary, including just swinging that axe or whatever


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l02lXqiL-18

By the way, in reviewing this I notice I keep tending to use the phrase "fireman" out of force of habit

There are also plenty of strong and brave women who can meet these challenges too, if they are willing to learn the methods 

During World War II, (the era of "Rosie the Riveter") women showed they could perform very well in all sorts of tasks normally done by men

Countries where the male population was off in huge numbers in combat at the front, like Russia, found women could perform very well as locomotive engineers, construction workers and maintenance people