Long Beach Fire Department
Increasing Diversity in the Fire Department through Inclusion … More Than Fighting Fires
1 Diversity in the Workforce
2 • Benefits of Diversity
• Lack of Diversity in Public Safety
Fire Department Diversity
Overview
3 FD Recruitment Report
4 Selection
Process
Staffing
Needs
Communication
Strategies
Data
Collection
Recruitment
Programs
In partnership with the City Manager’s Office & the Civil Service Department
Recruitment Staffing & Selection
Processes
5 • Diversity Recruitment &
Partnerships Manager
• Fire Captain position supported with
one‐time funds since FY20
• Recruitment Team & Executive Team
• Implicit Bias / Racial Equity 101 Training
• Firefighter Entrance Written Examination
• Physical Agility Testing
Recruitment Programs
6 • Mentorship Programs
• Fire Pathways Program ‐ Jordan High School
• Prospective Recruit Exercise Program (PREP)
• Webinars
• Women in the Fire Service
• LBFD Girls Camp
• Female Firefighters Career Workshop
Recruitment Programs - Continued
7 • Strategic Recruitment
• Athletic Programs
• CSULB, LBCC, & Other Area Schools
• College Events
• Military Organizations
• Culturally Specific Recruitment
• Black Colleges/Universities
• Cambodian Festival
• Taste of Soul
• Local Fire Academy Events
Communications & Data Processes
8 • Social Media Marketing
• Update Website
• Tracking Engagement
• Validating the Selection Process
Fire Recruit Academy
Demographics
9 Retention Efforts
10 • Promotional Investments
• Engineer Academy (Continue)
• Structural Funding Needed
(see graph)
• Fire Captain Academy
• Chief Officer Academy
66 5
6 2
12 12
Implemented
Engineer Academy
Future Leaders: Identify,
Develop, & Mentor
Promotions
11 16 15
13 18
14 17
23 19 18
29 23
2 1
As of February 2022
• Identify structural funding for our
Diversity Recruitment & Partnerships
Manager
• Develop future leaders through
promotional academies
Summary…
12 • Partner with Civil Service & Community
to enhance recruitment programs
with local educational institutions
• Fire Department is Committed to
Increasing Diversity through Inclusion
Thank you!
Dennis Buchanan
Deputy Fire Chief
Support Services Bureau
13