Masculinity in First Responder Culture

Hegemonic Masculinity

Culture in the first responder community is foundationally a masculine hegemony. Hegemonic masculinity is associated with high-risk-taking behaviors, pain intolerance, emotionlessness, and being in control (Partnoff, 2021; Schermer & Holmes, 2018). Within the masculine ideal, the hero is a status that is the conceptualized perfection of masculinity and is simultaneously completely unattainable (Partnoff, 2021). The paradoxical relationship between the ideal and what is attainable is a precarious situation for the first responder. Adding to the problem is the public expectation of first responders to be the symbol of heroism and embody masculine values (Partnoff, 2021). The adoption of the masculine role entails adherence to behavior and values that are traditionally considered masculine (Schermer & Holmes, 2018). Vulnerability to emotions such as sadness, fear, or shame threatens masculinity, and the individual faces ridicule or embarrassment for nonadherence (Schermer & Holmes, 2018).

 Nonadherence is problematic in the culture. Masculinity is not a guaranteed status, rather, masculinity is precarious and earned socially and can be revoked (Partnoff, 2021). Nonadherence to the accepted norms of the group can, theoretically, have consequences for the individual. Should the individual exhibit any emotional expression they are viewed as effeminate and will lose their masculine status. Thus, emotional suppression is valued in emergency services, from their peers, and from the community, as the responders are expected to handle emotionally and physically stressful incidents with calmness and rational decision-making processes (Partnoff, 2021).

Inclusion in the first responder community is semi-closed; a demarcation of ‘one of us’ and ‘outsiders’ exists and is enforced by the community. Outsiders can enter the community, however, in the past, they were required to survive hazing rituals throughout the probationary period and the probationary individual would be judged on how well they responded to the rituals. Surviving the probationary period is a mental marathon. In the firehouse, the probationary firefighters are expected to always be first to the apparatus when the alarms go off, always the ones to clean up after meals, and expected to show their proficiency with the tools of their trade (Firmin et al., 2018). The probationary firefighter should never be the first person sitting down to watch television. The probationary firefighter is responsible for all menial tasks and is expected to take on all tasks without complaint.

Regardless of the sexual identity of the individual, they are all expected to adhere to the masculine ideal. Women in emergency services have experienced, and still experience, harassment, hazing, and life-threatening roadblocks when entering the ranks of first responders.

For the sake of brevity and sanity, I will refer to any persons working on an ambulance, or who holds a certification as an EMT or higher as a paramedic for the remainder of this paper. I acknowledge there are myriad certification and licensure levels across the United States and the world. I am not intending to invalidate any person’s training, just make it easier to identify the group of ambulance workers as a whole without spending several sentences containing every possible certification type.

Unfortunately, people who identify as women are still facing struggles to be accepted in emergency services.  Members of the emergency services step into the role of the hero and with that comes the societal pressure to meet the ideal of the hero without neglecting their own humanity (Partnoff, 2021).

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