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NEW YORK, Mar 20, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- New York City plans to spend almost $8 million to accommodate its 33 female firefighters in their more personal moments.
That's the cost of adding 92 bathrooms in the firehouses that do not yet have separate facilities for men and women, the New York Post reports. More than half the firehouses, 119, already have bathrooms for both sexes.
"They are finally recognizing that there are women that are coming on the job," said Regina Wilson, who joined the department seven years ago. "It's nice to know that they're acknowledging that."
The city employs about 12,000 firefighters, so women, as Wilson says, are not even up to 1 percent yet. Since 2000, the Fire Department has been making a greater effort to recruit women and minorities.
Wilson's firehouse already has a ladies' room. She says that it's a good place to get away from the guys and also to practice her singing. She is often tapped to sing the national anthem at Fire Department events.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
