The Rocky Mount Fire Department has developed a plan to guide recruitment of a more diverse workforce. The Diversity Recruitment Strategic Plan serves as the foundation that the department will use to grow its philosophy in support of a diverse and inclusive culture, said Fire Chief Mike Varnell. “This culture will offer all potential and current employees the opportunity to enter the public safety environment with the necessary tools and perspective to succeed in learning their job and advance to positions of greater responsibility within the department,” Varnell stated in the plan's executive summary. A report on how the department plans to support blacks and other under-represented people desiring advancement within the department is forthcoming, Varnell said. The recruitment plan focuses on concerns expressed by members of the community that the fire department doesn't have a workforce that reflects the community it serves and doesn't value diversity.