Letter: FDNY forced to become diverse
Probationary graduate Samuel Murray, second from right, sitting with his classmates during the ceremony for 242 firefighters in the most ethnically diverse class in the FDNY history. (Dec. 5, 2013) Credit: Newsday / J. Conrad Williams, Jr.
As a proud retired member of the Fire Department of New York City, I couldn't help but take exception to one point in the news story "Diversity has its day" [Dec. 6].
The comment that the FDNY has been "reserved mostly for white males" really set me back on my heels. Having been hired in 1978, I'm all too familiar with the fact that the standards have been lowered. Federal Judge Charles Sifton ordered the FDNY to hire approximately 35 women, every one of whom failed the competitive physical exam in 1977.
I was always taught to hire the best person for the job. Diversity is a wonderful thing, so long as everyone is playing by the same rules.
Thomas McCarthy, Massapequa Park
