Two of Cambridge’s minority firefighters said they have never experienced racism or sexism in the department, but did have some ideas of how to increase diversity.
Dave House, an African-American fire captain, said he would like to see more outreach to young people on social platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook. Stephanie Crayton, the only minority female firefighter in the department, said that she would like to see recruitment at places like the Rindge Tower, a 273-unit affordable housing in Cambridge, to reach “families that are from different nations that would love to do something for the city.”
“Whoever walks in that door - black, white, male, female, transgender, straight, gay, whatever it is - the bottom line is, we all wear that same patch and we all feel pretty proud of who we are and what we do,” House said.
Crayton said she is a member of Triple F (Fabulous Female Firefighters), a group that gathers women working in fire services around the world to motivate each other through organizing regular discussion and training.
“Being a member of Triple F helps to remind me I am a woman in a male-dominated field,” Crayton said.