Focus on Leadership
Diversity of Experience in Action

Mark Carr came to New Britain, Connecticut in 2004 to become the city’s first new fire chief in 20 years. He also became the first and only minority officer in the department’s 190 year history.

Mark began his career as a firefighter in London, England 22 years ago. He worked his way up through the ranks to become a Borough Commander and one of London’s highest ranking black fire officers.

In April, Mark was among eight senior fire officials selected by the U.S. Fire Administration for fellowships to attend Harvard University’s Senior Executives in State & Local Government Program this past summer.

Mark has traveled around the world, living in South America as well as England. As you should be able to tell by now, his professional and personal experiences present a unique perspective.

Believing as we do that diversity enriches our lives by making us ask more questions, see different points of view and ways of knowing and doing, FIRE 20/20 has invited Mark to join our Board. We’re thrilled that he has agreed!

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Growing the Next Generation: Camp Courage, Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada)

Diversity in the fire service workforce is not a problem to be solved. It’s part of a solution to the challenge of how we can best serve all of our customers. Recruitment and retention of a qualified, diverse, inclusive and safe workforce doesn’t happen by accident. And the intention for this vision and goal is not a once a year or a once every two year effort right before a hiring cycle. We can’t wait to see who shows up to take the test. We can’t count on career fairs and media PSAs to generate qualified diverse candidates. We have to develop a long term strategy and begin our recruitment efforts to diverse middle and high school students.

In-kind sponsor, DiversityInc, publishes a monthly magazine and has a website that “provides news, resources and commentary on the role of diversity in strengthening the corporate bottom line.” While we're from the non-profit, public service world, we have found new learning and pearls of wisdom and had ah-hah moments! Take advantage of a FIRE 20/20 sponsored electronic subscription—at no cost—to DiversityInc magazine at http://www.diversityinc.com/fire2020.

Visit us online, anytime at http://www.fire2020.org

Copyright © 2009 FIRE 20/20. All rights reserved.

Recent and Upcoming Events

Mastering Change in The Fire Service Workforce^TM
January 12-13, 2010
Kent Fire Training Facility
Kent, WA

The Washington State Council of Firefighters and Washington State Fire Chiefs are jointly promoting the two-day workshop, Mastering Change in The Fire Service Workforce.

Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute to Host a Regional Session of
Recruiting & Retaining Diversity in The Fire Service^TM
February 23, 2010

Learn more information about the training.