United States Fire Administration
Chief Officer Training
Curriculum
Human Resource Development
Module 3: Community
Diversity
Objectives
United States Fire Administration
 Define diversity from a personal and
HRD 3-2
community perspective
 State basic facts about changes in
national demographics
 Identify diverse groups within their
communities
 Explain opportunities and challenges
presented by diversity in their
communities
Activity 3.1: What is Diversity?
United States Fire Administration
Time:
Total time: 30 minutes
Large-group discussion: 20 minutes
Purpose:
To define what diversity means individually
and from a community standpoint.
HRD 3-3
Diversity Defined
United States Fire Administration
Generally, diversity is characteristics that
make each person different.
HRD 3-4
Typical Characteristics
United States Fire Administration
 Race
 Sex
 Skin color
 Age
 Religion
 Disabilities
 National origin
HRD 3-5
Atypical Characteristics
United States Fire Administration
What are atypical characteristics?
HRD 3-6
Categories of Diversity
United States Fire Administration
Physical
differences
Environmental
(Cultural)
differences
Workplace
differences
HRD 3-7
Valuing Diversity
United States Fire Administration
 Think of diversity in a
positive sense
 Acknowledge,
respect, and
appreciate your
community’s diversity
 Show your
community that you
value diversity
HRD 3-8
Activity 3.2: If the World Were
Reduced to 100 People
United States Fire Administration
Time:
Total time: 30 minutes
Large-group discussion: 20 minutes
Purpose:
To show students the reality of global
diversity
HRD 3-9
U.S. Population Growth
United States Fire Administration
HRD 3-10
Largest Increase
United States Fire Administration
In the last 10 years the US population has
grown by 32.7 million people (13.2%).
This increase is the largest census to
census increase in history.
HRD 3-11
Census 2000 Figures
United States Fire Administration
 138,053,563 males / 143,368,343
females
 Median age 35.3
 Whites 211,460,626
 Black or African American 34,658,190
 American Indian and Alaska Native
2,475,956
HRD 3-12
Census 2000 Figures
(continued)
United States Fire Administration
 Asian 10,242,998
 Native Hawaiian and other Pacific
Islander 398,835
 Some other race 15,359,073
 Two or more races 6,826,228
 Hispanic or Latino 35,305,818
HRD 3-13
United States Fire Administration
HRD 3-14
Immigration Affects Diversity
United States Fire Administration
 In March 2000, an
estimated 10.4 percent of
the U.S. population was
foreign born, up from 7.9
percent in 1990
 The rapid increase reflects
a high rate of migration
during the last 10 years
HRD 3-15
Understanding Demographic
Changes
United States Fire Administration
HRD 3-16
Understanding Demographic
Changes
United States Fire Administration
HRD 3-17
Where Immigrants Come From
United States Fire Administration
 One-half are from Latin America
– More than one quarter are from Mexico
– Central Americans form a growing share
 One-quarter are from Asia
 Nearly one-seventh are from Europe
HRD 3-18
Know Your Service Base
United States Fire Administration
 To provide quality service
 Obtain community support
 Form long-term relationships with
community
HRD 3-19
Activity 3.3: Community Profile
United States Fire Administration
Time:
Total time – 40 minutes
Large-group discussion – 25 minutes
Purpose:
To help students get to know their
communities by identifying the diverse
groups within them.
HRD 3-20
Diversity Opportunities and
Challenges
United States Fire Administration
What role does diversity play in the fire
department’s ability to provide service to
the community?
HRD 3-21
Public Image
United States Fire Administration
The public image of the fire department as a
diverse organization will help establish
relationships with diverse groups in the
community you serve.
HRD 3-22
Summary
United States Fire Administration
 Diversity Defined
 Understanding Demographic Changes
 Understanding Your Community’s
Diversity
 Diversity Opportunities and Challenges
HRD 3-23