Pittsburgh officials hope expert insights will help them find ways to recruit more women and minorities into the fire bureau.
City officials are asking for ways to improve hiring in the fire bureau – specifically the fairness, effectiveness and transparency of the process, according to a request for information the city issued last month.
The aim is to find creative approaches to making the hiring process more inclusive and break down barriers that might deter women and minorities from applying to the department, city spokesman Tim McNulty said in a press release.
Fire Chief Darryl Jones said that when an organization reflects the population it serves, trust and confidence increase.
“It is vitally important that any emergency services or public safety organization is representative of the community it serves,” Jones said.
The local firefighters’ union supports the initiative.