Internal representation? How Black and White firefighters view racial diversity within the fire service

Abstract This study investigates leadership representation and the perceptions of public employees, specifically focusing on a fire department led by a Black fire chief. Drawing from literature on representative bureaucracy and relational demography, we explore how leadership representation influences street-level bureaucrats’ views on diversity and representation within the organization. Through in-depth interviews with both Black and White firefighters, we find distinctions in their perceptions regarding racial diversity and representation. First, Black firefighters viewed the presence of a Black leader as empowering, leading to opportunities for professional advancement and a commitment to community representation. In contrast, White firefighters perceived race-based diversity efforts as undermining meritocracy. Second, White firefighters preferred to avoid having discussions about race and diversity within the workplace, often referring to their familial bond and collective firefighter identity that minimized racial differences among their colleagues. Moreover, White firefighters are colorblind until race poses a material threat to them. Black firefighters reported selectively engaging in discussions depending on the context or cultural environment, or avoiding conversations, especially when they perceived potential consequences. Our findings suggest that leadership representation serves as a context to further interrogate these divergences. This research expands our understanding of leadership representation within public agencies and practically highlights the importance of managing diversity issues to foster inclusivity and mitigate tensions.