NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Mayor Eric Adams signed a package of bills on Monday to boost diversity within the FDNY.
The bills aim to address recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups within the department, as well as requiring the implementation of diversity, inclusion, anti-discrimination and anti-harassment training.
Among other things, the FDNY will be required to survey each firehouse for mixed-gender upgrades as well as submit an annual report on complaints filed with the FDNY's Equal Employment Opportunity office.
"Our FDNY frontline heroes keep our city safe day in and day out, and today we take another step to strengthen and support New York City’s Bravest," Adams said in a statement. "New York City's diversity is our strength, and these five bills will help build a more inclusive FDNY that is reflective of the millions of New Yorkers we serve."
Laura Kavanagh, who is the FDNY's first female commissioner, said in a statement that the department was committed to implementing the plan.
"The FDNY will set the bar for the fire service by attracting the best talent this city has to offer, serving each neighborhood as though it was our own, and ensuring each member of our FDNY family can thrive, grow as leaders, and inspire future generations," she said.
According to current figures, only about 1% of FDNY firefighters are women.
• The bill requires the FDNY, in consultation with the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), to develop and implement a plan to recruit and retain individuals from underrepresented populations within the rank of firefighter.
• The bill requires the FDNY to survey each firehouse to determine the permanent facility upgrades necessary to facilitate use by a mixed-gender workforce. Upon completion of the survey, the FDNY will then submit a report on the findings of the survey detailing permanent facility upgrades necessary at each firehouse, the feasibility of implementing such upgrades, and any construction plans to make such upgrades.
• The bill requires the FDNY to submit an annual report on the number of employees assigned to each firehouse or special operations unit, disaggregated by gender and race or ethnicity, as well as the number of individuals who reside within the immediate service area of each fire company, disaggregated by gender and race or ethnicity.
• The bill requires the FDNY, in consultation with DCAS, to develop and implement a plan for providing ongoing training and education to all employees regarding diversity and inclusion, including training on the department’s anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies. FDNY will also be required to post an annual report on its website regarding efforts taken to implement such training.
• The bill requires the FDNY to submit an annual report on complaints filed with the department’s Equal Employment Opportunity office regarding potential violations of the city's Equal Employment Opportunity policy. The report will include information on the number of complaints that resulted in corrective action taken by the FDNY, further disaggregated by the form of corrective action, including, but not limited to, formal reprimands, fines, loss of pay or benefits, transfers, suspensions, demotions, and terminations.
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