APOPKA, Fla. — Community leaders and a city commissioner are blasting Apopka for a lack of diversity in the fire department.
Records show of the 81 Apopka firefighters, there are five Hispanics, two blacks and four women.
“We do have a very serious problem with the hiring of minorities,” said Apopka City Commissioner Billie Dean.
There have been similar claims in the past within Apopka’s police department and employees in the mayor’s office.
“The city of Apopka has a history of only having one or two minorities,” said retired fire chief John Hightower.
Apopka Fire Chief Lee Bronson said he’s committed to expanding diversity in his department.
“We can do better, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Bronson said.
He said one of the problems is that there are few minority applicants.
Starting Monday, Bronson is hosting a special fire camp for children ages 8 to 13.
It’s part of his plan to attract minorities at an early age.