Fire department makes strides in attracting blacks

By Timothy Pratt
LAS VEGAS SUN

Numbers released last week show that the total number of people taking the Jan. 28 written test -- the first step in the process that leads to hiring -- included double the percentage of blacks compared with 2002, the last time the test was given. That in turn led to a higher number of blacks ready to take the next step -- the physical exam.

This year, of 2,195 people taking the written test, 186 -- or 8 percent -- were black. In 2002 only 4 percent of those who took the test were black.

Eighty-three blacks, or 45 percent of the blacks who took the test this year, passed, compared with 55 percent of the entire group taking the test. Two years ago 33 percent of black applicants passed the test.

The department chooses those who do best on the test -- this year those who scored 90 and above -- to advance to the physical exam, which will be held March 15.

This year 18 blacks -- or 10 percent of all blacks taking the test -- made the cut. In 2002, when the cutoff point was 80 or above, there were only 5 blacks in that category, and only one was hired.

Tuttle said she thought the higher numbers of blacks this year were due to a concerted effort to remove obstacles for minorities in general.

March 01, 2004

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