Alameda Fire Department Accomplishments During the Administration of Fire Chief James L. Christiansen: Diversified workforce: committed to creating a diversified work force that mirrors the ethnic makeup of the community. Of the 12 new fire fighters hired under Chief Christiansen’s administration, six were from underrepresented groups (three females, one Asian male, two Hispanic males).

The London based Local Government Association is advocating women make up 15% of the fire service and minorities make up the same amount of the fire service as they do the community.

London Local Government Association

Fire brigade 'discriminating against white men'

Only women and people from ethnic minorities are allowed to attend four of the five open days being held by Avon Fire Service to attract new recruits.
The fire brigade said it was targeting specific groups because currently 97 per cent of its 921 employees are white men.

Phillip Davies, Tory MP for Shipley, said: "This sort of thing makes people's blood boil, and does more damage than good to race relations in this country.

"How would people react if women and black people were banned from an open day?

London Telegraph

Thanks Art for getting my brain going.

When read Art's blog on the BSFD recruits LODD I was incensed by not only the senselessness of it, but also the idea that by making a test easier, it would allow for more minority or women candidates to get the job.

I truly feel this is disrespectful to both groups.

The fire safety aspect of this has been discussed ad nauseum in the comments to Art's blog, so Ill stick with the diversity element of the issue.

I know some on here will think I am way off base and as a white male firefighter I do not understand what the diversification drive does for women and minorities...well brothers and sisters, you are wrong, and Ill tell you why.

My best friend in this service is black, and a captain. He and I disagree on politics, football teams, and what shape derriere is attractive.
When we talk politics, most of the guys in the station leave the room, afraid of witnessing a fight.
We talk race from both perspectives and diversification is a regular topic.
For both of us, it is important to see things from another point of view.
In short, I listen and try to learn from people who are different then me.

Do I know what it is to be black or female? Not in a million years, but I do make an effort to understand why other people think differently than I.

Mike is from Georgia, and since I spent a good 5 years of my career in Savannah, he knows I understand what life is like in the deep south (think 1876 ideas, versus todays).
It is the ability to communicate without worrying about being PC that gives both of us insight into the other side of the argument.
We both listen and learn, even when we disagree...and that is a lot!

The Dilemma

When we lower standards to hire a targeted portion of the population it hurts everyone, and not in the least the targeted group.

Think about it.

It says "hey, you aren't good enough to pass this, so we will make it easier so you have a chance"

That sure makes someone feel good about themselves and their community...right?

These candidates are set up for failure from the start.

How is someone who made a 72 on the test going to beat the guy who had to make a 100, come promotion time?
It isn't impossible, but it sure is an uphill battle.

So if we want diversification, lowering standards isn't the way.

Mentorship

Why do white boys want to be firefighters?

What drives so many white kids to the fire service?

For Irish and Italian American kids, the fire service was a traditional way out of poverty.
It was a job no one else wanted, it was dangerous, and something they took ownership of in a big way.

My moms side is Irish, and as a child my Firefighter Uncle was my role model.
I saw him going out and helping the community, being a positive force and helping others. That was the mentorship I was shown as a child, and like my uncle I became a firefighter.

For many of us, the fire service is where we will go after school. That is a culture that didn't happen overnight. It was cultivated and for many second, third fourth or fifth generation firefighters is just the way it is.
From the time we could remember, fire trucks, and fire stations were the things that excited us. Hell, I think i started drinking coffee as a kid, because that was what the firefighters I knew did.

For most of the country there was no diverse culture in the fire service, it was O'Malley, Ward, Santini, McDonald, and Kelly whose names we saw on lockers and jackets as children. Even us Scandanavians (squareheads) have had to push our way into the fray. To see a black or female firefighter was amazing as a child, but today they are just another firefighter going by on the truck or engine.

If we really want diversity, we need mentorship in minority communities. We need ethnic firefighters and fire officers to get out in the community and direct those kids towards the fire service, not lower standards.
How is the perception that minorities aren't capable of getting the job on their own merits a good thing?

For many departments, a minority is looked at as odd, but for many others it is the norm.
Either way, developing a culture in the community is going to take time.

However...it can be fostered through other channels.

Start a co-op at the high school level that puts them through the state firefighter certification course over a school year. (most departments in Texas require a certified fire academy certification to take their test)
One of the local HS's here has a tech training program with the local fire academy.

In closing:

My closest friends on the job are black and hispanic, one of the members of this board I have the highest respect for is female, and in the next twenty years I would love to see my fire service reflect the diversity of this great nation of ours. But...We have got to do it the right way!

We need to use groups like the Black or Hispanic Firefighters Associations to start mentorship programs in their communities. Women in the FS need to get involved in organizations like the Girl Scouts and Explorers to show young women that they can succeed in our field too.

This forum is a great place to start putting heads together that can have a positive impact, instead of fighting over who has the sickest light bar on their POV.

***Diversification is going to happen, is happening , and the days of a white male only fire service are gone. We can put our heads together and find ways to make this a positive thing, or we can go kicking and screaming into the long dark night with the same results.

Questions:

How do we recruit the best and brightest from all groups?

Who are our leaders amongst the minority communities, women included?

How can we get them involved in making the fire service a viable option for their youths?

Instead of letting governments dictate to us who is or isnt a proper candidate, why dont we set the bar for them?
Let us start with these questions and find a common ground that works for everyone involved.

TCSS