Fireman Sam axed as mascot and replaced with gender-neutral extinguishers because he ‘isn't inclusive enough’
Fireman Sam has been dropped as a mascot for a fire service and replaced with gender neutral fire extinguishers over inclusivity concerns.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service said it made the decision after receiving negative feedback about the mascot, which is based on the popular children's TV show.
Now the force's other mascots - fire extinguisher-shaped Freddy, Filbert and Penelope - will be used in place of Fireman Sam.
According to Government statistics, 5.2% of firefighters in England were women in 2017.
Lincolnshire's Chief Fire Officer, Les Britzman, said the mascot was "outdated" and did not help sell the fire safety message.
He said: "Firefighters nationally and residents locally have raised some concerns that Fireman Sam doesn't reflect the fire service today, in terms of both the job itself and our workforce.
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"It's important to us that our open days and community events don't make anyone feel excluded and therefore we took this decision. We always make sure that we include plenty of activities and other ways to engage children and adults, to help them learn more about fire safety and a firefighter's role.”
However, the decision was described as “utter tripe” by Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan.
He fumed at Mr Britzman this morning: “There you are representing the [fire] service and you have a problem with using any promotional material that has a male firefighter at the head. It’s totally hypocritical.”
Morgan added: “Why can’t fire services use the Fireman Sam brand? Why can’t you celebrate men and women? Why does everything have to be gender fluid?
“No woman has ever refused to join the fire service because of Fireman Sam.”
The mascot has been used by the force in the past to advertise open days, as well as at various charity events.
However, the decision has also been heavily criticised on social media.
@GMB piers I've found a replacement for fireman sam...
Nonbinaryfirefighter Penguin who actually identifies as an Hoover pipe 🤣
The worlds gone mad!! pic.twitter.com/CD6xaNV8LN— marie francis (@chalkiechoo) September 11, 2019
Am I really listening to the Chief Fire Officer saying they can't recruit women because Fireman Sam (yes, the one from Pontypandy) is sexist? The loonies really have taken over the asylum #GMB
— Carolyn (@CarolynS06) September 11, 2019
I think we have to be careful not to demonise masculine idols re Fireman Sam. There are a lot of blokes prepared to do extremely dangerous tasks (and, indeed women). But we do need the strongest, fastest members of our society on board with the toughest jobs
— Charlotte Gill (@CharlotteCGill) September 11, 2019
Anyone who takes offence about fireman Sam.... Needs help. I mean come on! A children's program.
— eddie white (@1957eddie) September 11, 2019
So now Fireman Sam has been axed because he is male. Why are we letting snowflakes take over this country?
— C J Merrifield (@iAmMerrifield) September 11, 2019
One Twitter user said: "This increasing desire to remove men from being role models is getting ridiculous.”
Another added: "They've really axed Fireman Sam for being a male? This is the world our children are growing up in! Being male is now a problem?”
However, London Fire Brigade supported the decision and wrote on Twitter: "The use of the outdated term Fireman ingrains especially in the young that it is a male only role.
"We've been called firefighters for 30 years and just ask everyone to call us our job title. And that will stop excluding our women firefighters & encourage more to join.”
Earlier this year, the service criticised children's TV show Fireman Sam and Peppa Pig of being sexist for using the term "fireman" instead of "firefighter" during an episode.
