Diversity & Inclusion
Building fire and EMS departments that reflect and serve everyone.
I’m STILL a Fire Service Feminist!
I wrote on this topic–lack of representation of women in the fire service–back in 2016 and unfortunately it’s still a topic that won’t go away. What…
Firefighter Camps for Girls in 2026
This post originally appeared back in 2020, so I know that it likely needs updating. If your firefighter camp for girls is listed, please make sure…
Today is National Employee Resource Group Day
By: Stephanie White, Firefighter/Paramedic and Guest Blogger Or at least that’s what my LinkedIn feed is telling me [National Employee Resource Groups Day 2024 was November…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Where are you?
One of my pleasant surprises in 2023 has been the discovery of a new “voice” in the fire and EMS…
Why aren’t more women becoming career firefighters?
Why does the fire service have difficulty attracting, hiring, and keeping women on the job? Because in too many fire departments there's still a “gauntlet” that women have to “run” every day! And that gauntlet is not a single challenge, but rather multiple challenges.
Where are the Champions in the Fire Service?
I'm not referring to individuals or teams that have attained the #1 status in their sport. Rather, I'm going to discuss the dearth of champions in fire and EMS departments who can turn the word champion (the noun) into champion (the verb). The key difference between mentors and sponsors is that mentors are “one-way streets”, giving their chosen mentee a gift of wisdom, time, and advice. Sponsorship requires reciprocity and commitment; sponsors serve as champions.
An Epiphany About Diversity and Inclusion in Organizations
I recently had one of those “I never thought of it that way,” moments about diversity and inclusion in an organization, particularly fire departments, because I did serve with the Chesterfield (Va.) Fire and EMS Department for 26 years before retiring as a battalion chief. See if any of what I'm about to share with you “strike's a similar chord.”
7 Articles Relative to The Discussion of Improving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Fire Service Organizations
John S. Butler, currently the fire chief for the Fairfax County (Va.) Fire and Rescue Department, was the newly promoted fire chief for the Howard County (Md.) Department of Fire/Rescue Services in 2015 when he set a goal for increasing the diversity of his fire/rescue department. In setting that goal, Chief Butler challenged his staff to begin pursuit of that goal by answering "Why is it important to have a diverse and inclusive department?" before determining what recruitment and selection actions to pursue.
What you know—or don’t know—about Millennials and Generation Z
with Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell In a recent post on FireRescue1, Rachel Engel, associate editor of FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com, wrote “While many…
Non-Dominant Group Members Need Champions, Not Just Mentors
The key difference between mentors and sponsors is that mentors are “one-way streets”, giving their chosen mentee a gift of wisdom, time, and advice. Sponsorship requires reciprocity and commitment; sponsors serve as champions.
Is Your Dominant Group Bias Showing?
When two individuals who are equally qualified for a promotion, one from the majority group and the other from the minority group, and you still pick the majority group member when you have zero members of the minority group “at the table,” that’s your Majority Group Bias Showing.
Why was there no sense of urgency for the Milwaukee Fire Department?
When I received my first promotion to the rank of company officer, it was made truly clear to me by my organization, the Chesterfield (Va.) Fire and EMS Department, that as an officer the organization would expect more from me. And that expectation was reaffirmed with each subsequent promotion to captain and then to battalion chief.