The New York City Fire Department is facing scrutiny from a group of female firefighters who say they discriminate against women.

At a hearing before the City Council Wednesday, representatives from the United Women Firefighters claimed the fire academy's physical tests have become more and more stringent in an effort to deter women.

There are only 44 women in the FDNY ranks, which is less than half of one percent of the department. Nationwide, that number is about 3.4 percent, and rises to about 13 percent in cities like San Francisco.

"Where the issue lies is in getting people to the starting gate, more than the race," said Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro in testimony at Wednesday's hearing. "The problem is there are too few women entering the academy."

Nigro said the department is taking steps to make the profession more accessible to women, including offering child care services and building women's bathrooms in firehouses.

Women first entered the FDNY in 1982, after a judge ruled that the physical exam administered by the department unfairly discriminated against women, and demanded they draw up a new test.

Brenda Berkman, one of the firefighters who filed the 1982 lawsuit, said at the hearing that the current FDNY's physical tests are unduly competitive and are not administered fairly.

"If we don't treat the women we have in the pipeline right now fairly and humanly, then other women will be deterred," said Berkman.