Black NY firefighters claim bias, sue department

Jet, Oct 28, 2002

A fraternal group that represents hundreds of Black New York fire fighters recently accused the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) of discrimination in hiring and promotions.

The complaint was filed in August with the EEOC.

"Basically, it's against the Fire Department--everything from recruitment to promotions to background investigations of job applicants," said Capt. Paul Washington, president of the Vulcan Society, which represents New York's Black firefighters.

The New York Fire Department's 11,500-member force is 90% White. Blacks currently make up 3% of the department; Latinos and Asians comprise 2.7% and women account for less than half a percent.

The Department had been trying to recruit minorities for the entrance exam later this year with its "Heroes Wanted" campaign. Although overall applications dropped sharply from 23,000 when the entrance exam was last given in 1990 to 7,500 this year, representatives of minority groups said that only 24% of the applicants were people of color or women.

"That means, based on their current numbers, we will have the same percentage coming on the job that now exists," Washington said, who added that the society has long complained of the small number of Blacks despite a number of minority recruitment campaigns over the years.

Even when Blacks do pass the physical agility and written tests, they fail the psychological tests and background investigations in disproportionate numbers, according to the Vulcans.

Capt. Brenda Berkman, president of United Women Firefighters, said the FDNY lags behind fire departments around the country when it comes to promoting diversity. She noted that Birmingham, Alabama's 600-member fire department has 25 women, the same as in New York City.

The FDNY said it would "vigorously" fight the complaint. "We strongly disagree with the premise of the case. The department does not engage in discrimination," said Fire Department spokesman Frank Gribbon.

Gribbon defended the recruitment strategy, noting the department sought candidates at local colleges, Black churches and events attended largely by minorities.