Fire service bans white men from open days - to boost number of ethnic minority recru

cnredd · #1 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 04:39 PM

Fire service bans white men from open days - to boost number of ethnic minority recruits

Quote:

White men have been banned from fire brigade recruitment sessions because bosses want to hit their diversity targets.

Four out of five "open" days held by Avon Fire Service were restricted to women and ethnic minorities.

Critics last night accused the West Country brigade of discrimination. An MP said the move would fuel resentment and undermine race relations.

Avon's bosses insist their ban on white men is simply "positive action".

Back in October, the same brigade demoted a fire crew who shone their torches at four men they found having sex in bushes. The decision sparked an outcry from critics who claimed it was politically correct madness.

In the latest incident, five "have-a-go" days at the brigade's Bristol HQ were set up to allow potential job applicants to try out firefighting equipment.

They also had the chance to chat to staff and learn more about selection tests ahead of an application deadline next week.

Two of the six-hour sessions have been limited strictly to women and ethnic minorities. Another was for women only and a fourth was laid on exclusively for ethnic minorities.

Only today's event is open to everyone, allowing white men to attend.

Philip Davies, Tory MP for Shipley in West Yorkshire, said: "This sort of thing just makes people's blood boil and does more damage than good to race relations in this country.

"How would people react if women and black people were banned from an open day?

I was wondering if somewhere in the article I'd see my thoughts being said...

Forunately, it happened...

Quote:

"I don't care whether the fire service is only made up of ethnic-minority women - as long as they are the best people at fighting fires.

team_barlo · #2 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 05:07 PM

Redd--I agree with this: "I don't care whether the fire service is only made up of ethnic-minority women - as long as they are the best people at fighting fires."

That whole thing with the limiting of white men just for the sake of limiting them is stupid though.

Having said that you DO realize that this story takes place in the UK, right? That is not from the US.

cnredd · #3 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by team_barlo

Redd--I agree with this: "I don't care whether the fire service is only made up of ethnic-minority women - as long as they are the best people at fighting fires."

That whole thing with the limiting of white men just for the sake of limiting them is stupid though.

Having said that you DO realize that this story takes place in the UK, right? That is not from the US.

I knew that...

I was thinking that it should go to the Internat'l forum, but then I thought that "Civil Rights" isn't an "American Only" thing...

saltwn · #4 (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 09:03 PM

Now let me just think this through...
I'm trapped in a room...maybe even semi conscious on the floor.
Let's see...Who do I want to arrive to try and haul my fat a$$ out the window...?
Six foot two blond Ivan arrives, and with my last breath I say,
"No, no. It just wouldn't be right...Tomorrow your picture will probably be in the paper. How would it look...a w...w...white person-saving a white person?
No, I think I'll just take my chances hear on the floor till a more suitable representative of our diverse populous arrives!"

KnightOfSappho · #5 (**permalink**) 01-28-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnredd

Fire service bans white men from open days - to boost number of ethnic minority recruits

I was wondering if somewhere in the article I'd see my thoughts being said...

Forunately, it happened...

I can understand having targeted recruiting drives (as is common in many situations) but to call it an 'open day' is not correct.

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