New diversity initiative program implemented in Dayton police and fire departments

The city of Dayton is changing their policies and procedures to encourage more diversity in the police and fire departments.

This new initiative program is called Home Grown Heroes, and it may help people land a job with the city before switching to a firefighter or police officer career.

News Center 7's Mike Campbell was in Dayton Friday evening with city leaders who believe increasing the number of women and minorities in the police and fire departments would be a huge part in building strong community partnerships.

“We know young people want to work differently, we need to be flexible about it,” said Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.

The Home Grown Heroes initiative program also allows for people that are waiting two to three years to take civil service exams for other jobs with the city, do some on-the-job training with police or firefighters. If they pass the test and are picked for the training academies, they can switch careers.

“I think it would be helpful, especially for those that have to wait so long to be paid,” said Stanley Burrage of Dayton.

Burrage believes the more diversity in the safety forces is a good thing and will help build more neighborhood cooperation and trust with officers.

“You’re able to relate to a certain extent, okay, this person looks like me, they should have some idea of my potential background and empathize with me more,” he said.

The four departments with eligible candidates are PT Recreation and Park Aides, PT Building Attendants, Municipal Workers and EMT-B’s, city officials say.

There are already 63 African American employees that could switch to firefighter training and 44 that quality to apply as police officers, leaders say. Among white women, 27 could explore a firefighting career and 18 could consider becoming a police officer.

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