In an effort to increase staff diversity, the Urbana Fire Department hosted a breakfast Thursday for influential community members who can recruit and recommend potential firefighter candidates.
Fire Chief Brian Nightlinger said pastors, affiliates from Parkland College and the University of Illinois, leaders of community groups and city council members were invited to the gathering. They were all given packs of small cards to hand out to anyone they think could be a good fit for the department.
Elizabeth Borman, assistant human resources manager for the city, cited a 2006 study from the International Association of Fire Fighters' diversity initiative that concludes that the best method for recruiting a diverse department is word of mouth — one reason for the card strategy.