I read the article "City job seeker fights rejection," Nov. 14, in regard to hiring practices of the Albany Fire Department. With Lewis Wood's employment rejection, on the surface, it seems he may have been denied entrance unfairly. This could lead to a skewed perception that the Albany Fire Department is biased in hiring. As a retired Albany fire captain, I must insist that this perception is wrong.
Over the years, Mayor Jerry Jennings and, particularly, Chief Robert Forezzi have done more for equal opportunities on this job than almost any other city I know of. For more than 25 years, we have held, at our expense, basic emergency medical technician training in Arbor Hill and the South End. We have incorporated that curriculum as a regular course at Albany High School for the last four years. It is taught by Albany fire instructors. Further, Deputy Chief Michael Cox runs an program that introduces children to firefighting and emergency medical services as careers. There is never a charge.
Most of the time and talent to staff and organize these courses and programs have been donated, and all expenses that could not be given for free were paid at the city's expense.
I am teaching a class, right now, for emergency medical technician students; the texts and salaries were provided by the fire department. In this class, there are 29 students, 14 of whom are minority. These students are consistently the most eager I have taught, even at the military and university level.
The Albany Fire Department and Chief Forezzi, in particular, deserve credit for these outreach programs and history of qualifying individuals.
Daniel Doherty,
Retired captain
paramedic, Albany Fire Department
Albany