What is DEI?

 

What is DEI?

Diversity refers to variety within the organizational workforce, such as in identity and identity politics. It includes gender, culture, ethnicity, religion, disability, class, etc.), age, or opinion. 

Equity refers to concepts of fairness and justice, such as fair compensation and substantive equality. More specifically, equity usually also includes focusing on societal disparities and allocating resources and “decision-making authority to groups that have historically been disadvantaged” and taking “into consideration a person’s unique circumstances, adjusting treatment accordingly so that the result is equal.”  Finally, 

Inclusion refers to creating an organizational culture that creates an experience where “all employees feel their voices will be heard” (IBID) and a sense of belonging and integration. 

DEI training incorporates the principles of diversity, which is embracing the difference that everyone brings to the table, whether it’s race, age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, or other aspects of social identity. The training also incorporates the concept of equity and, in some cases, equality, where the organization and its members treat everyone fairly and equitably and provide equal opportunities. Inclusion is the last piece of the DEI training, and it’s termed as respecting everyone’s voice and creating a culture where people from all backgrounds feel encouraged to express their ideas and perspectives.

These concepts are essential in a profession where teamwork is paramount to safety, and everyone returns home after every shift or after every call; creating a cooperative environment that respects one another again can be brought to the rank and file by the leadership who must endorse those principles creating a safe working environment both in the fire station and out on the street.