Updated 01/21/2010 08:57 PM
FDNY Ordered To Scrap Hiring Exam
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A federal judge has ordered the FDNY to revamp its hiring exam after ruling the city intentionally discriminated against minority candidates.
The judge says about 7,400 applicants who took the earlier test will now be eligible to file claims.
It also clears the way for hundreds of black and Latino applicants to be hired with retroactive pay.
The ruling is part of a series of lawsuits filed by advocacy groups for black and hispanic firefighters.
Out of 11,500 firefighters, about 350 are black.
The city has long disputed any claims of discrimination, saying the tests are fair and that the department has taken many steps in recent years to diversify ranks.
A city Law Department spokesman told NY1 that the department is studying the court's opinion, saying "The City is reviewing its options but will always place in the forefront not only the need to obey the rule of law, but the need to insure that only qualified individuals become New York City firefighters to properly protect the New York City's inhabitants."