Fdny List 6019

[My1Goal]

I would like to share some mutually good news. Good for us on the job and good for you pursuing your career goals:

Associated Press

NEW YORK — New York's City Council has persuaded the mayor not to close 20 fire companies at night as part of budget cuts.

Both sides confirmed the funding restorations late Wednesday.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg had announced the $15 million fire department savings move in November as part of nearly $600 million in planned budget-tighteners throughout multiple city agencies.

Most of the other cuts will remain.

Lawmakers fought to restore the fire department cut as well as another $20 million in various agency reductions, including at the child welfare agency.

Bloomberg did not need council approval for the mid-fiscal-year update. He and the council found other savings to replace the restored funding.

The restorations were first reported by the Wall Street Journal.

—Copyright 2011 Associated Press

That is excellent news!
Now, what are the odds that they'll put in a class from 6019? Hmm...
Just thought I'd ask. Lol.

[nightowl75]

Man theyre already hurting and now no closures. Its only been a few months since we got the bad news. I cant see how they can go another 1.5- 2 years until the new list and first academy are sent in.

[Waiting4Months]

Amazing. It's all just amazing.

[QCFRANKC]

Man theyre already hurting and now no closures. Its only been a few months since we got the bad news. I cant see how they can go another 1.5- 2 years until the new list and first academy are sent in.

Last I read around nov/dec 2010 the FDNY was under 370 firefighters. How many do they lose each month through retirement, promotions etc...? Is the # roughly 25 per month?

[nightowl75]

Think it's 30 a month between guys leaving and promotions. It was posted a while back but do to the ridiculous 512 pages on this forum I'm not going to try and look for it. Figure at this rate they will be down 1000 guys by the end of the first academy off the "new" exam they want to give if they don't hire until then.

[ready4firehire]

Havent logged in since the city rejected all of our beloved Judges hiring options and for that I apoligize......This does keep hiring firefighters in demmand but I believe our list expires on January the 11th of this year. Can this be extended? the judge hasnt officially made his final ruling being that he is a spineless ***** with an agenda rather than an officer of the court who took an oath to make fair and reasonable judgments.


Keep praying for snow! the more snow the more pressure on the city to hire.

[Firehouse_Chick]

Havent logged in since the city rejected all of our beloved Judges hiring options and for that I apoligize......This does keep hiring firefighters in demmand but I believe our list expires on January the 11th of this year. Can this be extended? the judge hasnt officially made his final ruling being that he is a spineless ***** with an agenda rather than an officer of the court who took an oath to make fair and reasonable judgments.


Keep praying for snow! the more snow the more pressure on the city to hire.

whoa, not for nothin, but where have you been the whole time, exp. is June 2012

[GMEN6019]

http://meritmattersusa.blogspot.com/...t-meeting.html


Everyone should make the effort to attend this meeting

[Yo]

true words bro.

[Queens6019]

JANUARY 10, 2011, 4:42 P.M. ET.After diversity lawsuit, FDNY hiring sits in limbo . Associated Press

NEW YORK — Paul Washington is a New York City firefighter, like his dad and his uncle before him. His brother is also on the job. Some of his cousins are firefighters, too.

Family legacies aren't unusual in the Fire Department of New York, but the Washingtons are — because they are black. And the nation's largest fire department remains an overwhelmingly white force.

But a federal lawsuit, a court order and a revamped application system are offering a glimmer of a future in which the FDNY could become as diverse as the population it serves — a goal other big-city departments have already achieved.

In a city of 8 million where more than half the population belongs to a racial or ethnic minority, only 9 percent of the 11,200 uniformed firefighters are black or Hispanic.

"This is New York City," said Washington, the catalyst for a federal hiring-discrimination lawsuit against the city. "We're the most diverse, interesting place in the world, and our other city agencies reflect that, so why shouldn't the Fire Department?"

No new firefighters are being hired for the FDNY until a test deemed discriminatory by a federal judge can be redone. In the meantime, the department is paying overtime to bridge a gap of about 300 firefighters. Potential candidates wait, taking other jobs in the meantime.

Jamel Nicholson, 35, who is black, took the exam in 2002, scoring nearly perfect on the physical exam and getting a 74 percent on the written exam. He waited in vain, though, and instead ended up a subway conductor.

"I still want to do it. My views haven't changed after all this time," said Nicholson, who has taken some community college courses. "It's affected me a great deal. I really wanted to help people — especially after 9/11."

But Washington — a firefighter for more than 20 years who was president of the Vulcan Society, an FDNY fraternal organization, when he pushed for the lawsuit — wants more than just a new test. In court papers last month, lawyers for the society asked that the exam, now given every four years, be offered more frequently.

They also requested that a professional minority consultant help craft a recruitment program; urged the use of innovative recruiting tools like Facebook; and suggested bringing back a cadet program to encourage more minority involvement.

Washington also wants city high school graduates to get bonus points. Right now, firefighters get points for residency, but Washington says it's easy to fake. The city is weighing the proposal.

In Los Angeles, 14 percent of the 3,500 or so firefighters are black, and about 30 percent are Hispanic. In Philadelphia, 26 percent are black and 3 percent Hispanic among 2,400 firefighters. Those demographics reflect overall city populations or, in the case of Los Angeles, are more diverse than the city.

Not so in New York. Washington's family legacy was something he wished for other black city residents, and after failed attempts to change the racial makeup from within the department, he filed his complaint about 12 years ago with the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission.

The complaint charged that the exam given to FDNY applicants was littered with SAT-like questions that didn't adequately test for firefighting skills. The exam is the weightiest factor in determining where a candidate gets on a hiring list; a physical test and a few other components also play a role.

"This test isn't proving who's the best for the job — this test is proving who got a good education," Washington said. "There's an education gap in this country, and everybody knows it. So to pretend, after 12 years of bad schooling, there's a level playing field and telling them to sit down and compete — it's disingenuous."

The U.S. Department of Justice took up the case and filed a federal lawsuit, and a judge ruled in 2009 in favor of the Vulcan Society and the Justice Department. In a separate decision, the judge said the test was being used to discriminate intentionally and called it a "stain" on an otherwise sterling department.

While it appeals the decision, the city has made significant strides in recruiting minority candidates — an effort it says was not brought on by the legal fight.

Applicants no longer need college credits and can apply if they graduated from high school and held a full-time job for six months or served in the military.

So far this year, 4,445 recruiting events have been held.

"I know firsthand that being a firefighter is 'the best job in the world,' and I want all young people to have an opportunity to understand the benefits of the job and hopefully choose to apply and take the test," Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano said in December.

And minorities increasingly say they are interested in the job. In 2007, the last time the test was offered, more than 40 percent of the applicants were minorities — more than double the previous time the test had been offered. Among those who passed the test, 18 percent were Hispanic, 12 percent black and 3 percent Asian.

The new test may take as long as a year to redo, and it's not clear what will happen to candidates who were already on the waiting list.

The city rejected five court-ordered options that would've allowed it to hire with the old test, saying they imposed race-based quotas. The city's top lawyer, Michael Cardozo, has said a third of the top test-takers waiting to be hired were minorities.

Diversity doesn't necessarily end race-related problems. In Houston, where the city's 3,800-member fire department is 17 percent black and 19 percent Hispanic, firefighters received sensitivity training after allegations arose that a noose was found in a firefighter's locker.

Chicago's 4,300-member fire department, the nation's second-largest, is 20 percent black, and 8 percent Hispanic, reflecting the city's general demographic makeup. But the Supreme Court ruled in May that a lawsuit by black members could go forward, challenging the city's decades-old admissions test.

In New York, Washington said, he wants to see the department reflect the city.

"You get such respect from the community; it's great," he said. "It creates a whole ripple effect for the future. Shouldn't everyone have the chance for that?"

—Copyright 2011 Associated Press

http://online.wsj.com/article/AP0128...828b698cf.html

[Queens6019]

After diversity lawsuit, FDNY hiring sits in limbo
by COLLEEN LONG Associated Press 04:35 AM Jan 11, 2011NEW YORK (AP) - The Fire Department of New York is seeing a glimmer of diversity on the horizon after a federal lawsuit forced it to revamp its hiring practices.

Other big-city departments are already more diverse and reflective of their populations, including Los Angeles and Philadelphia. The lawsuit and its outcomes may change things in New York.

A new application exam is being created. The department is recruiting heavily and says more minorities are interested in joining.

Lawyers asked in court papers last month that the exam given to applicants be offered more frequently than every four years.

They also requested that a professional minority consultant help craft a recruitment program; urged the use of innovative recruiting tools like Facebook; and suggested bringing back a cadet program to encourage more minority involvement.

- AP
http://online.wsj.com/article/AP0128...828b698cf.html

[My1Goal]

After diversity lawsuit, FDNY hiring sits in limbo
by COLLEEN LONG Associated Press 04:35 AM Jan 11, 2011NEW YORK (AP) - The Fire Department of New York is seeing a glimmer of diversity on the horizon after a federal lawsuit forced it to revamp its hiring practices.

Other big-city departments are already more diverse and reflective of their populations, including Los Angeles and Philadelphia. The lawsuit and its outcomes may change things in New York.

A new application exam is being created. The department is recruiting heavily and says more minorities are interested in joining.

Lawyers asked in court papers last month that the exam given to applicants be offered more frequently than every four years.

They also requested that a professional minority consultant help craft a recruitment program; urged the use of innovative recruiting tools like Facebook; and suggested bringing back a cadet program to encourage more minority involvement.

- AP
http://online.wsj.com/article/AP0128...828b698cf.html

I read the article earlier today and it just made me want to vomit. Man, if there really is GOD he'll undo all this b.s. and have them hire off our list... Fock.

[roadrunner09]

Washington also wants city high school graduates to get bonus points. Right now, firefighters get points for residency, but Washington says it's easy to fake. The city is weighing the proposal.

Ugh seriously, this again??


So what if you went to school in the 5 boroughs up until 10th or 11th grade and then had to move out and finish in Mt. Vernon or Roosevelt or Haverstraw?? That's not good enough??

What if some kid living in Scarsdale commuted to a private school in Manhattan??

This proposition is such B.S. How can someone get penalized for something they had no control over as a kid?

Go ahead and really crack down on proving residency, that's fine. But this can't happen. Looks like we might have to hit up our councilmembers again (granted some of us even get to take the test again)

[mopman]

Gotta love this clown Washington and his abject nonsense. Yeah, let's hire some more idiots that can't read and write. Then we can give them another hand out and make them officers. Who cares if the department reflects the population? Do you want some useless affirmitive action lacky coming to your door, or would do you want the best person your tax dollars could buy? If you want this job STUDY. Would IBM hire idiots? Why should the fire service? This is one reason why the fire service has gone to the dogs. Buy the way Firehouse....were do you stand on this issue? A little to the pc side I suspect.

[BTown]

Been awhile since the last post. Whats up with the City lawyers? Seems like

the Mayor of America is willing to sit back and let a few dozen people destroy

this job. Just bring back the college credit requirement and that would solve

a lot of the problems. That recent post about other Cities and their % of

minorities on the job was a direct result of QUOTAS. The judge stated that

he was going to give his remedy in the fall I believe. Last time I looked it

was Jan 11th, 2011.

[FDNY5]

Anybody have the official report for Judge Garaufis from Mary Jo White of progress made regarding the new test? The last official document was sent out October 1st I believe and in that report, White stated she would update the court every three months on progress. That second report should have been sent to Garaufis on Jan. 1st.

*EDIT*

My mistake. That report won't be coming until February.

[simpllyhuge]

Forget it...

[FDNY78]

This is one reason why the fire service has gone to the dogs. suspect.

What makes you say this? Are you a member? Have you recently had a fire in your house or community that wasn't responded to quick enough or put out (snowstorm excluded)? What evidence do you have to make this comment? Are you referring to more minorities coming on the job? Sounds a tad racist to me considering everyone CURRENTLY on the job has gotten there without any quota or forced hiring. Are you referring to the future of the department? As a member I personally take offense to this statement. Why try and join a department that according to you has "gone to the dogs?" Go join another department.

[simpllyhuge]

I was thinking about how they took away the college credits (not sure when that happened) and suppose they do make the test easier, then how would they formulate a list if a large amount of people get a 100? For example what if 1000 people get a 100 and only 300 can fit in a class.

[FDNY78]

I was thinking about how they took away the college credits (not sure when that happened) and suppose they do make the test easier, then how would they formulate a list if a large amount of people get a 100? For example what if 1000 people get a 100 and only 300 can fit in a class.

I respect your opinion however, I posted this a while back. Lot of people don't agree with me, many on the job do. I am actually a college graduate with a BA.

"I never suggested dumbing down the physical or academy, if anything I think the physical should be tougher and the academy too. This is where the weeding out of candidates should take place, not those who couldn't afford to go to college. College does not equal common sense. I work with plenty of college graduates who have none. There are always going to be **** bags that get on the job and many of the **** bags I know on this job have college degrees too. The thing that I see on the job and especially with younger guys many of whom have college degrees is that lots of them have never used a tool or done a physical job in their life. THIS JOB REQUIRES THE USE OF TOOLS! Traditionally it is made up of guys who come from trade jobs where they are used to using tools. I'm not saying that this can't be learned and I'm not trying to put college degrees down, but this is what I see in the field and I know alot of guys on the job will agree with me. I feel that a college degree is not necessary for the rank of FF and many of us agree with practice of eliminating the college credit requirement. I think it was a good move to remove the college credit."