Diversity a problem for the Rochester Fire Department
(THE MED CITY BEAT) - The Rochester Fire Department acknowledges it needs more diversity, but is struggling to find qualified female and minority candidates.
The Post Bulletin reports the department has sent out notices to all firefighter schools, union groups and special groups related to minority firefighting; but the applicants just aren't there.
"The challenging part is getting the applicant pool more diverse in Minnesota," said Deputy Chief Vance Swisher in an interview with the Post Bulletin. "It's an Upper Midwest problem."
Recommended: Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training & Education
The 104-member department employs six females, one black male and one Hispanic male. U.S. Census figures from 2010 show the Rochester community is 6.8 percent Asian, 6.3 percent Black, 5.2 percent Hispanic or Latino and 0.3 percent American Indian.
(Cover photo: Google Street View)
