Record-high numbers of minorities apply to become members of New York’s Bravest
Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Martha K. Hirst announced today that nearly 30,000 candidates have filed applications to take the upcoming firefighter exam, and more than 40 percent of those applicants are minorities. The results come after the Fire Department launched an unprecedented and innovative 10-month recruitment campaign this year to attract a diverse group of qualified applicants.
A total of 29,638 candidates filed their applications by the November 3 deadline, and 11,918 of those are minorities, according to DCAS. The number of minorities who applied is more than double the total for the 2002 firefighter exam (5,569). More than 1,400 women have filed applications this year, a 60 percent increase from the number of women (878) who applied in 2002.
“Becoming a New York City firefighter is a wonderful career opportunity that is open to everyone who wants it, and these extraordinary results prove that,” Commissioner Scoppetta said. “Our recruiting efforts successfully attracted a diverse group of applicants who recognize that firefighters have the greatest job in the world. Now, these candidates must remain dedicated and work hard to get a chance to join New York’s Bravest.”
“These results show people of all backgrounds are extremely interested in applying for the firefighter exam,” Commissioner Hirst said. “Candidates must remember that this exam is highly competitive so they need to prepare for the next step in the hiring process – the written test being offered on January 20, 2007.”
Starting this week, the free, seven-week FDNY Tutorial Program is being offered at multiple locations throughout the five boroughs to help candidates prepare for the written test. All of the instruction times and locations can be found at www.nyc.gov/fdny. Free training for the physical test will be provided in the near future at the FDNY Training Academy on Randall’s Island and New York Sports Club facilities.