Diversity training starts for all New York firefighters

NEW YORK -- The New York City fire department has started diversity training for all of its firefighters.

The Wall Street Journal reports that it will take up to two years for the department's nearly 11,000 firefighters to go through the training.

Last year, fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro appointed a new chief of training and a new diversity and inclusion officer to aid in the effort.

Some of the training will include role playing.

The training is part of an initiative to make the largely white and male FDNY more diverse.

Last year, the city reached a $98 million settlement with a group of black firefighters who had charged the FDNY's entrance exam discriminated against minorities.

Under the settlement, the city agreed to change its recruiting policies to increase diversity.

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Information from: The Wall Street Journal, http://www.wsj.com

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10/7/2015 6:31:08 AM (GMT -4:00)