Union: FDNY To Promote 2nd Black Woman In Its History To Lieutenant
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- For the first time in 12 years, the FDNY is promoting a black woman to the rank of lieutenant.
The union representing female firefighters says Tracy Lewis will be promoted Wednesday. She's the second black female firefighter to be promoted to lieutenant in the department's history.
Lewis has been a firefighter for 17 years, starting off as a cadet. She was an emergency medical technician and later worked on Engine 222 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.
There are only nine black women firefighters at the FDNY, and Lewis will be the only officer. There are about 40 women total at the department of nearly 10,400 people.
Ella McNair was the first black woman promoted to rank of lieutenant in 2002.
In March, the FDNY reached a $98 million settlement with a black firefighters group that alleged discrimination in hiring.
As part of the settlement, the department agreed to create an executive position for diversity.
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