City Council Members, City Manager ‘Concerned’ Over Firefighter Diversity

Pasadena firefighters and parademics in action on March 7, when they rescued woman in her 60’s with an ankle injury in Eaton Canyon. Image courtesy Pasadena Fire Dept.

City officials are voicing concerns about the diversity of the newest firefighter recruits.

Responding to an email from Pasadena Now, City Manager Steve Mermell said the latest class of recruits is all male, nine are white, four are multiracial, one is Hispanic and one is Asian.

The city only has 39 firefighter paramedics, but needs about 60, according to Mermell.

Four firefighters are also attending paramedic school.

The class stems from an expedited process used in February to identify qualified candidates, in partnership with Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (FCTC).

“While this process has enabled us to identify qualified candidates quickly, one area of concern is diversity,” Mermell told Pasadena Now on Monday morning. “Actively encouraging diversity in our workforce is important to the Fire Department, City Manager and City Council. Interim Fire Chief Bryan Frieders, with the assistance of Former Chief Calvin Wells, is currently developing plans that we expect will result in more diversity in our hiring.”

Three of the city’s last four Fire Chiefs, including Wells, have been African American.