Even in these times when the Trump hammer on progressive values is coming down and attempting to erase the very existence of DEI, three City Council members in New York are delving into the issue of exclusion and discrimination as described by Black and female firefighters. They have introduced a bill that would expand the Department of Investigation’s oversight of the department. DOI would be mandated to specifically investigate how the FDNY awards promotions and special assignments and how it handles discrimination and harassment complaints as well as the retaliation FDNY members face after filing those complaints. In an op-ed just published, the three Council members wrote, ““Radically reforming the FDNY’s culture is not just about fairness – it is about making the department stronger, more inclusive and truly reflective of the city it serves. A fire department that prioritizes equity and ensures that promotions are based on merit rather than favoritism will ultimately be better for all New Yorkers. It is unacceptable that in 2025, Black and brown firefighters must still fight to receive the same opportunities as their white counterparts.”
Read the full story by Duncan Freeman for The Chief, published here: https://thechiefleader.com/stories/council-bill-would-comel-doi-to-investigate-discrimination-in-fdny,54244
