A person trained to put out fires and rescue people from fire-related emergencies, also called a firefighter.
From 'fire' (Old English 'fyr' from Germanic roots) + 'man.' Originally referred to men who stokedfires in furnaces, then became the word for professional firefighters.
The term 'fireman' is increasingly replaced with 'firefighter' because about 5% of firefighters are now women, and language evolves to match reality—showing how the words we use can either include or exclude people from professions.
Historically male-coded occupational term that excludes women from the role's linguistic and social identity, reinforcing gender-segregated labor.
Use 'firefighter' as the gender-neutral, inclusive term regardless of gender.
["firefighter"]
Women have served as firefighters since the 1970s; language must reflect occupational inclusion, not assume maleness.
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