The men and women of the Boston Fire Department volunteer during their time off to increase community outreach and guide young adults on how to become firefighters one day.
The Boston Fire Department has increased efforts to boost diversity among its ranks. A friendship between two firefighters on the basketball court led to the creation of the Community Enrichment Program. Young people from different community centers across the city are mentored by firefighter volunteers and compete on the court.
ABCD’s Future Protectors Initiative is another effort to increase interest in the department among a diverse group of youth. It’s a six-week long summer jobs program that includes mentoring by firefighters, curriculum and coursework and hands-on work. ABCD is the largest antipoverty agency in New England.