Melissa Bailey Photo
DeStefano (l) accepts the endorsement from Firebirds President Gary Tinney (r).
Black firefighters Friday applauded a new partnership with the city on a local recruitment drive — and said they want the mayor to stay put so that partnership continues.
A half-dozen members of the New Haven Firebirds, the city’s fraternal association of black firefighters, gathered Friday at the Stetson branch of the New Haven Free Public Library to offer Mayor John DeStefano an official endorsement. DeStefano seeks election to a record 10th term in a Nov. 8 election, where he faces independent Democrat Jeffrey Kerekes.
Friday’s campaign event came on the heels of a contentious meeting at City Hall, where the city unveiled a new plan to cap the number of firefighter applicants in order to limit the competition from out-of-town candidates. The plan met a wide range of responses: Some oppose giving local hires a leg up; others have argued the city should go even farther to make sure city residents get jobs.
Brooks & Neal.
Darrell Brooks, the Firebirds’ political director, called the city’s plan “a step in the right direction.” He said the organization aims to maximize New Haveners’ opportunities at landing a firefighting job.
DeStefano now has the endorsement of firefighters on both sides of the long-running Ricci v. DeStefano lawsuit, which charged the city discriminated against white firefighters when it tossed out a promotional exam because black firefighters performed poorly. Frank Ricci, the lead defendant in that case, personally attended an event last month where the fire union endorsed DeStefano.
Brooks said the Firebirds have not made any political endorsements in recent memory. He said the group was inspired to do so in this “critical” election.
“The mayor has demonstrated a willingness to partner with us at the table,” Brooks said, and he wants the partnership to last.
The partnership has taken shape in the form of an “aggressive” outreach program to recruit New Haveners onto the force, the first of its kind in years, said Firebirds Vice-President Michael Neal.
DeStefano said about 20 percent of the city force lives in New Haven. That’s partially because suburban towns have volunteer fire departments, which give out-of-town applicants a place to get experience — an advantage New Haveners don’t have.
The city’s firefighter recruitment drive in 2007 yielded 1,049 applications from out-of-towners and only 257 from New Haveners, according to the city.
The city and the Firebirds aim to boost the number of local applications — and give candidates the preparation they need so they don’t flunk the application process, which involves a background and credit check, physical agility test, and written and oral examinations.
Neal outlined the Firebirds’ efforts so far this year to foster more local hiring. The group hosted an initial workshop on Sept. 22 at James Hillhouse High School, in the heart of the city’s black community. The event drew 207 potential recruits, including 186 from New Haven, Neal said.
Among those 186 were Tirice Hines and Gabriel Juarbe (pictured), who both live in Fair Haven. Hines works at FedEx. Juarbe just got laid off from his job at a plant packing helicopter parts. Both see firefighting as a noble, reliable job.
“It’s a really respectful career,” said Juarbe, who’s already an EMT.
The group will hold four more sessions to help people prepare to fill out applications, which will be available on Nov. 28. At a session next Thursday, they’ll go through background checks and give candidates homework on how to get physically fit.
In future sessions, applicants will take mock written tests and conduct mock oral exams with firefighters.
The sessions are aimed at New Haven residents of all races, Neal said: “It doesn’t make a difference what color you are.”
They said they also aim to encourage female applicants: No woman has joined the city fire force since 2004, according to DeStefano.
DeStefano said there will be a concerted effort from firefighters of all colors to recruit more women and local residents.
The city, police and Firebirds have sought to lay the groundwork with a new public safety academy at Hillhouse High. Of the 26 freshmen in the academy, 10 are female.
DeStefano & Tinney.
Firebirds President Tinney grew up in Elm Haven, in the neighborhood from which many Hillhouse students hail. He said while he has since moved to Meriden, he wants young New Haveners to get the opportunity he had for a lifelong career.
Aspiring firefighter Juarbe said he welcomes any extra support, because he feels he’s at a disadvantage compared to suburban counterparts who’ve already worked on a volunteer force.
“We don’t have a fighting chance,” he said.