Colorblind FDNY

To the Editor:

I am the father of a city Firefighter. I have read the letters by Chief Mannix; John Coombs, President of the Vulcan Society, and Chief Gala Jr.

I, and I'm sure most New Yorkers would agree, do not care what nationality or gender a member of the FDNY is when that person is trying to save a life. New Yorkers are not going to ask the firefighter to remove his/her self-contained breathing apparatus so we can see what color he/she is. We will just be grateful that someone with the best ability is there to help out and save lives.

In addition, I do not believe the firefighters themselves care what color or gender a person is when they are in the process of doing their jobs. I'm sure the most important thing to the firefighters is whether that person can do the job and has their back in very stressful situations. I see it as a brotherhood in the department regardless of race or gender.

The city, Department of Citywide Administrative Services and the Vulcan Society must stop watering down the test by asking questions of opinion rather than questions of substance in order to increase diversity in the department. I am sure most New Yorkers would agree, especially when their lives are on the line in a burning building.

I think the time has come for everyone to stop pointing fingers at one another and come up with a test of substance asking questions on the test that have to do with the job. Candidates should be offered proper training to take the test and let the best people get the job.

ANTHONY ANNANARUMMA