Improving Spaces for Women First Responders: Investigating women’s occupational experiences using a comparative grounded theory

Abstract

Background: First response work has historically been designed for and performed by men; yet more women than ever are conducting this work. Research suggests women first responders face unequal access to resources and advancement, increased mental health challenges, and unsupportive workplace cultures.

Methods: This work explores the occupational experiences of women paramedics, police officers, and firefighters (n = 20) from Southern Ontario. Semi-structured interviews explored the individual life course of participants, focusing on resiliency and stress, diversity and inclusion, and gender and the role of professional identity. Constructivist grounded theory and a Gender Based Analysis Plus approach was utilized to understand experiences within and across the three professions.

Results: Participants attested to significant improvements to women’s inclusion in first response work, however specific challenges continue to persist. While some environments were described as highly supportive, many women still face sexism and glass ceilings. Despite this, women are deeply passionate about their work, and actively encourage other women to join the field. This investigation further examined the nuances of trailblazers, embodiment perspectives, the impacts of paramilitarism, and the intersection of promotion pathways and public opinion.

Conclusion: For recruitment and retention, women identified high-intensity work, protecting community, dynamic environments, and the power to address crisis as the best parts of their jobs. Recommendations include improving access to uniforms and equipment, on-the-job training to improve access to promotions, flexible scheduling and childcare supports, and legislating EDI training for all leaders and workers. This comparative investigation provides a unique pulse-check into the EDI goals of Canadian public services.