A female fire chief has said Fireman Sam is sexist – 12+ fiery takes
8.
I understand. I wanted to be a builder all my life and I based all my research on the Bob the Builder and I tell you it put me right off. I didn't like the shade of yellow of Bob's helmet. https://t.co/Hh1fulw9Kg
— Laura Perrins (@LPerrins) March 18, 2019
Not everybody knew why Sam was in the news.
9.
Saw Fireman Sam trending and thought to myself ffs he’s not a nonce as well is he
— Owen Counsell (@CounsellOwen) March 18, 2019
10.
I saw Fireman Sam trending and my first thought was "oh no, not another celebrity death"
— Dan Bull (@itsDanBull) March 19, 2019
The debate raised other issues.
11.
Today people are debating whether Fireman Sam is sexist or not but I feel the more pressing question is why was Postman Pat allowed to have pets and a private registration on a royal mail van
— David Bratchpiece (@bratchy1) March 19, 2019
12.
In fairness I can understand why people are complaining Fireman Sam is unrealistic. Spent six months as a postman before I realised I wouldn't get my own helicopter…. thanks for nothing Postman Pat you lying fuck
— The Written Ward (@WrittenWard) March 19, 2019
Some people, including @CircusMindDs pointed out that Sam isn’t the only firefighter in the show.
This is Firefighter Penny Morris.
She's been in Fireman Sam since the 80s.
She was the character that made me realise you didn't have to be a man to be in the fire service.
The show is not sexist.
Get over yourselves. pic.twitter.com/KNzc9om1bU— Circus Mind Designs (@CircusMindDs) March 19, 2019
Although many people viewed the idea of Sexist Sam with scorn or, at the very least, a pinch of salt, there were some particularly well-informed dissenting voices.
Maybe you should stick to being outraged at sausage rolls @piersmorgan! 🌭@LondonFire @LFBCommissioner https://t.co/COsFvJdcqe 🚒 https://t.co/D5Rjm7vkjE 👩🚒#999Family #TeamHants #FiremanSam https://t.co/vgdukS0Gfg
— Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service (@HantsIOW_fire) March 18, 2019
It's young girls, like Esme, who think they can't be firefighters because children's TV continues to use outdated language https://t.co/xGqNJnZn0T. If you respect our work, then get our name right #FirefightingSexism https://t.co/AsLJBJGtPf
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) March 18, 2019
Ensuring firefighting is an attractive career for women is crucial to making our services representative of their communities. Like it or not, popular culture has a role to play in that.
One thing is for sure – @piersmorgan will never have what it takes to be firefighter 😂 https://t.co/DUyJ2AAnit
— Fire Brigades Union (@fbunational) March 18, 2019
Piers Morgan having an opinion on what’s good for the fire service is a bit like him trying to tell @GaryLineker about football. Fireman Sam isn’t the issue. It trivialises the main issue about the lack of diversity in the fire service and that’s the debate that needs to be had
— CFO Terry McDermott (@terry103mc) March 18, 2019
Time for Firefighter Sam – or not? Let us know what you think.
