By Tara Kyle
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
GREENWICH VILLAGE — The FDNY might be accused of discriminating against blacks and hispanics, but they're actively recruiting gay and transgender firefighters.
The department staffed a recruitment table at this month's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered center in Greenwich Village during the organization's “Out to Work” job fair, and fire officials say their outreach to the LGBT community dates back almost five years.
"We believe it's important to make inroads into all communities in New York City to let folks know about careers with FDNY," said Michele Maglione, assistant commissioner for the FDNY’s office of recruitment and diversity.
“We want as many young men and women to learn about the great career opportunities that are available with FDNY as possible. As we like to say, being a firefighter is the best job in the world.”
The FDNY has faced difficulties attracting women, gays and racial minorities. According to a recent study by the Daily News, 91 percent of firefighters are white, and only 31 out of 11,500 of New York’s Bravest are female.
That’s the smallest number among the country’s five biggest departments.
A federal judge recently ruled the department discriminated against black and hispanic applicants.
Maglione said the department’s outreach to the LGBT community has included staffing an annual recruitment table at the "Out to Work" fair each year since its inception in 2007, as well as taking part in gay pride events in New York City, Fire Island and Asbury Park, NJ.
Job fair organizers reached out to the FDNY to host a table because "this is a constituency they should be targeting to bring on board," said Tony Juliano, president of the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, which hosted the event.
Juliano added that in light of last month’s ruling by a federal judge that the FDNY engaged in a systematic process of excluding black and hispanic applicants by using discriminatory tests, he was “not surprised at all” that the department made an effort to be present.
“They’re trying to step up and demonstrate to their people” that they’re open to diversity, he said.
As a gay man himself, Juliano said he knows personally the pain that can come with searching for a welcoming workplace.
Exhibit attendees said that the chance to meet representatives from the 40 potential employers at this year’s fair, including Whole Foods, the YMCA, and JPMorgan Chase, helps ease anxieties for LGBT applicants.
"Going into it, you know they're accepting and you don't have to be a closeted employee," said Latoya Burgess, a 27-year-old graduate student.
