A Brooklyn federal judge named former Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau Wednesday to lead an effort to get the New York City Fire Department to hire more black and Hispanic firefighters.

Judge Nicholas Garaufis appointed Morgenthau, 90, as a "special master" to help the FDNY revamp its hiring practices.

Back in January, Garaufis ruled that the city city had intentionally discriminated against blacks in the wake of a 2007 lawsuit filed by the Vulcan Society, and that the FDNY hiring exam should be revised.

"It's certainly a victory for all New York City residents that we have someone who is mindful of what needs to happen and will handle it in an expeditious manner," said John Coombs of the Vulcan Society.

"Of course we think we're doing all we can. We did a great job in the recruitment campaign in 2006 for our 2007 exam and we continue to do a great job so yes we think we are cooperating and we need to get this thing settled as quickly as possible so we can continue to hire," said Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano.

Currently, only 350 of the city's 11,500 firefighters are African-American. Combined, blacks and Latinos make up about 9 percent of the FDNY's force.

City officials have long disputed any claims of discrimination, saying the tests are fair and that the FDNY has taken many steps in recent years to diversify ranks.

Morgenthau said in a statement, "I am honored to be asked by Judge Garaufis to assist in this important matter and I look forward to working with the parties to facilitate their carrying out the relief ordered by the court."

The city Law Department told NY1 that it is in the process of reviewing the lengthy order and that it is a complex case.