During many of those years, female firefighters also often complained of harassment by a work force unwilling to accept their arrival.

Many firefighters complained about constantly having to readjust a shared harness at the start of each shift, and eventually stopped using them.

In addition, firefighters have complained that the extra compensation they receive for agreeing to take on medical calls several years ago - about $1,500 a year - is inadequate.

Fight Over Offensive Picture Since then various female firefighters have complained of being harassed or ostracized by their male colleagues.

"We were in a warehouse," complained the firefighter who had pioneered the space.

Black firefighters have long complained that they feel unwelcome in firehouses.

Many black firefighters have complained that the Fire Department never would have accepted a black candidate with a similar background.

Also, there have been controversial instances in which female firefighters officially complained of being harassed or ostracized by their male colleagues over the years.

Though some firefighters have complained that the efforts fell short, there seems little question that much more counseling has been done.

The firm's executives and the union's leadership, however, say that no firefighter has ever complained about Goldis.