FDNY launches campaign to attract minorities

(New York- WABC, May 8, 2006) (WABC) -- To combat mounting criticism about alleged hiring biases, the FDNY is unveiling a new campaign to attract minorities. The department is currently 91 percent white.

Not only is the city council questioning the lack of diversity, but so is the U.S. Justice Department.

Among the nation's big city fire departments, the FDNY has all the diversity of a private men's club. On any given night, on any given emergency, the firefighters responding are likely to be male and white.

At a public hearing Monday morning, fire officials unveiled a new advertising campaign and defended their outreach efforts.

"The big focal point of our marketing campaign this time around is going to be the benefit of a career as a firefighter, the flexible schedule, the generous salary, up to four weeks of vacation, the ability to retire in 20 years and the growth opportunities," an FDNY spokeswoman said.

The New York City Fire Department is roughly 91 percent white, with five percent Latino, three percent are African American, and barely one percent are Asian or Native American. Out of more than 11,000 members, there are just 33 women.

The NYPD is more than half minority, and women account for roughly one in five police officers.

Among America's other major cities, half the firefighters in Los Angeles are black or Latino, as are roughly forty percent in Boston.

FDNY officials insisted today that they are spending more than a million dollars on advertising and outreach programs. But council members said the department's starting salary is ridiculous: $25,000 dollars and that jumps to $32,000 after three months.

Others blamed the department's entrance exam. Paul Washington is with the Vulcan Society of African American firefighters.

"The only thing unique about this test is that it eliminates blacks," he said.

The department has defended its exam and hiring practices. The Justice Department has been investigating the department's minority hiring and results could come by the end of the month.

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