Diversity in the Fire Service


In order to improve diversity we must first define diversity as it is related to the fire and emergency services profession.  In the fire service diversity should reflect the community it serves.  This means the diversity within a department can change overtime.  Expanding the concept of valuing diversity within an organization and their workforce is one of the largest ways to improve diversity.  With training and awareness on the common characteristics we are able to have a more diverse organization.  We need to have sensitivity training and ensure individuals do not stereotype.  History has proven that we are able to coexist with individuals form other cultures but we need to accept and encourage this existence. 
 
Attempting to achieve organizational diversity can be difficult. It is important for the organization to not lower their standards of performance as they try to be more diverse.  This makes it vital to have a minimum standard and ensure that it is not biased and it is properly designed and implemented.  If the standard is bias then legal actions could be brought up against the organization. 
 
While diversifying an organization the goal is not to just count numbers and percentages of people.  The organization needs to benefit from the selections that they made.  Selecting individuals with a divers background and education will help culturally develop the organization.  These new individuals are able to provide a new look on situations and are able to help improve the organization due to their personal and professional experiences. 
 
Once again it all comes back to training.  In order to accept diversity and not focus on the institutional isms we need to focus on training and how we are able to move forward as an origination. Trainings and mentorship programs are the ideal way to make diversity accepted. 

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