http://kutnews.org en http://kutnews.org/post/firefighters-union-says-chief-lowering-recruitment-standards <p>Austin Fire Association President Bob Nicks believes that Austin Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr is setting the bar for job applicants too low in an attempt to increase diversity. Nicks says he will file a formal grievance with the city tomorrow.</p><p>Currently, four out of five firefighters are white. Women make up only five percent of the force.</p><p>The fire department has an extremely rare opportunity to change that. It has about 100 positions to fill. But not everyone agrees on how screen the candidates.</p> Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:48:23 +0000 Nathan Bernier, KUT News 543 at http://kutnews.org Firefighters' Union Says Chief Lowering Recruitment Standards