The Worcester city government is doubling down on its progressive agenda by now requiring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training for its incoming firefighters..The move comes just two months after Worcester declared itself a transgender sanctuary city in February 2025, a symbolic protest against the Trump administration’s stance on transgenderism.Now, prospective firefighters in Massachusetts’s second largest city must undergo six diversity-equity-and-inclusion training sessions as part of their 14-week academy, according to a press release from the Worcester City Manager's office. These sessions will teach recruits the concept that certain groups are either privileged or disadvantaged based on immutable traits such as sex and race.Currently, 21 recruits are in the academy, which started in late March. They’re set to graduate in June.“Integrating DEI into firefighter training isn’t just about policy — it’s about building a culture of respect, inclusivity, awareness, and readiness to serve all members of our diverse community," Worcester’s Chief Equity Officer, Kevin Lovaincy, said in the press release. “This curriculum equips recruits with the tools to navigate diverse environments, foster stronger team dynamics, and enhance community trust — ultimately making them better firefighters and public servants.”The training is aimed at fostering a "respectful and inclusive fire station culture," building team dynamics, and showing how diversity-equity-and-inclusion principles apply on the job. However, the city doesn’t explain how this training will improve the department’s ability to fight fires.“The Worcester Fire Department is committed to continuously enhancing our training programs and adhering to the highest firefighting standards across Massachusetts and the nation,” Worcester fire chief Martin Dyer said. “We appreciate the support of the EODEI [the state Executive Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] in our mission to provide exceptional service to our residents while providing a professional and inclusive workplace.”City Manager Eric Batista expressed similar sentiments.“This is another great interdepartmental partnership,” Batista said in the press release. “This curriculum will help improve recruits’ socialization and prepare them for encounters with all members of the community in a respectful, compassionate manner. I want to thank both the EODEI and the WFD for their commitment to continuously improving trainings to better serve the community as it continues to grow and its needs change.”The exact content of the diversity-equity-and-inclusion training isn’t public yet.As NewBostonPost previously reported, this is the same local government that declared Worcester a transgender sanctuary city during a February 11 city council meeting. Pro-homosexuality and pro-transgenderism activists disrupted the meeting, threatening violence and harassment if their demands weren’t met.One of the most notable speakers during the meeting was a 19-year-old named Dewey Cosgrove Atienza.Atienza, a female, showed up with frizzy blue hair, white gloves, and what looked to be a pearl necklace. Atienza, who uses they/he pronouns, identifies as gay, disabled, and autistic. (Autistic people identify as transgender at much higher rates than non-autistic people, according to NPR.)“If you say that you’re afraid of Trump, and that’s why you don’t want the city to be a safe space for trans people, you better prepare for trans people to make this a very unsafe space,” activist Dewey Cosgrove Atienza warned during public comment.A spokesman for the Worcester Fire Department could not be immediately reached for comment on Thursday.
The Worcester city government is doubling down on its progressive agenda by now requiring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training for its incoming firefighters..The move comes just two months after Worcester declared itself a transgender sanctuary city in February 2025, a symbolic protest against the Trump administration’s stance on transgenderism.Now, prospective firefighters in Massachusetts’s second largest city must undergo six diversity-equity-and-inclusion training sessions as part of their 14-week academy, according to a press release from the Worcester City Manager's office. These sessions will teach recruits the concept that certain groups are either privileged or disadvantaged based on immutable traits such as sex and race.Currently, 21 recruits are in the academy, which started in late March. They’re set to graduate in June.“Integrating DEI into firefighter training isn’t just about policy — it’s about building a culture of respect, inclusivity, awareness, and readiness to serve all members of our diverse community," Worcester’s Chief Equity Officer, Kevin Lovaincy, said in the press release. “This curriculum equips recruits with the tools to navigate diverse environments, foster stronger team dynamics, and enhance community trust — ultimately making them better firefighters and public servants.”The training is aimed at fostering a "respectful and inclusive fire station culture," building team dynamics, and showing how diversity-equity-and-inclusion principles apply on the job. However, the city doesn’t explain how this training will improve the department’s ability to fight fires.“The Worcester Fire Department is committed to continuously enhancing our training programs and adhering to the highest firefighting standards across Massachusetts and the nation,” Worcester fire chief Martin Dyer said. “We appreciate the support of the EODEI [the state Executive Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion] in our mission to provide exceptional service to our residents while providing a professional and inclusive workplace.”City Manager Eric Batista expressed similar sentiments.“This is another great interdepartmental partnership,” Batista said in the press release. “This curriculum will help improve recruits’ socialization and prepare them for encounters with all members of the community in a respectful, compassionate manner. I want to thank both the EODEI and the WFD for their commitment to continuously improving trainings to better serve the community as it continues to grow and its needs change.”The exact content of the diversity-equity-and-inclusion training isn’t public yet.As NewBostonPost previously reported, this is the same local government that declared Worcester a transgender sanctuary city during a February 11 city council meeting. Pro-homosexuality and pro-transgenderism activists disrupted the meeting, threatening violence and harassment if their demands weren’t met.One of the most notable speakers during the meeting was a 19-year-old named Dewey Cosgrove Atienza.Atienza, a female, showed up with frizzy blue hair, white gloves, and what looked to be a pearl necklace. Atienza, who uses they/he pronouns, identifies as gay, disabled, and autistic. (Autistic people identify as transgender at much higher rates than non-autistic people, according to NPR.)“If you say that you’re afraid of Trump, and that’s why you don’t want the city to be a safe space for trans people, you better prepare for trans people to make this a very unsafe space,” activist Dewey Cosgrove Atienza warned during public comment.A spokesman for the Worcester Fire Department could not be immediately reached for comment on Thursday.
