By Ivan Pereira
The FDNY has begun a new push to bring more minorities into firehouses across the city and the Queens leader who has been calling for this diversity said it is a big step for New York’s Bravest in the right direction.
The Fire Department has launched a $1 million ad and recruitment campaign for New Yorkers of all ethnicities to sign up for the upcoming firefighter exam in January. Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano talked about the initiative during mass at the Greater Allen AME Cathedral July 17 and said he has been hearing concerns from community leaders that firehouses do not have enough black members.
The commissioner said there were a lot of benefits to being a firefighter that would be enticing to applicants from southeast Queens.
“There is no more rewarding career than to work as a firefighter and serve the people of New York City,” he said in a statement.
The ad campaign includes placing fliers in ethnic newspapers, radio stations and websites that stress the FDNY’s salary, health benefits and other job perks. FDNY officials will also be making appearances at community events during the summer, with tables that not only include information about the January exam but also laptops and Wi-Fi for interested people to apply online right then and there.
City Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans), who has been urging the FDNY to hire more minorities for years, said he was pleased with the new effort but wants the department do to more.
The councilman said a lot of young constituents come to his office to ask about joining the Fire Department, which should launch another campaign that targets high school students.
“It is something I have been advocating for them to do for a while,” he said.
The FDNY force is made up of 3.8 percent black members, 7.8 percent Hispanic members and 0.9 percent Asian members, according to Comrie’s office. The city’s population, according to the 2000 census, is 27 percent black, 27 percent Hispanic and 10 percent Asian, according to the councilman.
Last month, the Council passed a bill written by Comrie that asked the state to change the rules for the FDNY test. Under the new rules, New York City residents who have a valid high school diploma or GED would get additional points on their application.
The state Legislature has not acted on the Council’s legislation since the session in Albany is over, according to the Comrie.
“I am confident that they will accept it,” he said.
Reach reporter Ivan Pereira by e-mail at ipereira@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
