Podcast Episode 10 – Firefight: The Century-Long Battle to Integrate New York’s Bravest
In this episode of Fire Law, Curt interviews Ginger Adams Otis, the author of Firefight: The Century-Long Battle to Integrate New York’s Bravest. Ginger is a writer for the NY Daily News and previously worked for the NY Post. She started covering NY City Hall and the FDNY when she worked for The Chief-Leader. She’s been a radio and print freelancer for WNYC, the Associated Press, BBC, National Public Radio, The Village Voice and national magazines such as Jane and Ms.
The interview covers Ginger’s reasons for writing the book, her research and her conclusions about racial issues in the FDNY.
Folks can order Firefight here: http://www.amazon.com/Firefight-Century-Long-Battle-Integrate-Bravest/dp/1137280018
or online at Ginger’s website: www.gingeradamsotis.com
The question you have to ask while reading this book is:
Is it possible for a whole hiring agency “City” to work against the hiring of minority firefighter candidates based on race or religion or some other “unknown” factors?
After reading this book, the unfortunate answer is; Yes.
And, it seem to be apparent in other jurisdictions across the country. How many fire departments have yet to hire their first Woman firefighter from a list of “Qualified” applicant candidates?
In my own litigation, a comparison of my classmates and names of firefighters either on the job or retired or employed by one non fire agency revealed that if you worked for it, were a reserve firefighter or were in one instance, related in some way to someone in County Government, you got into and passed successfully in the Fire Academy.
My issue started in October, 1984 and ended in August, 1991. With the “then” State level Firefighters Group working against myself and the other person, by providing Legal Counsel to the Apprenticeship Committee and FPD.