Seven black Aurora firefighters resigned from their union Monday to protest what they said is a lack of recruitment and promotion of black firefighters.

The allegations, first leveled in a news release, did not contain details. One of the seven, Capt. Allen Robnett, said, "I want to spend the time, effort and finances I was dedicating to the union to recruit black firefighters."

Robnett, who is also the department's spokesman and only full-time recruiter, stressed that his comment was not an official Aurora Fire Department statement.

Randy Rester, president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1290, said he was unaware of the defections and did not want to discuss union business.

"We're not going to comment on any of that whatsoever," he said.

The Aurora Civil Service Commission oversees hiring and aims to make the process fair, said Commissioner Bernard Celestin. He did not blame the union or the fire department for a lack of black firefighters but said it is up to individuals themselves.

"A lot of people may be applying but not getting ready emotionally and physically," Celestin said.

Robnett, who works with eight other recruiters, said they do not target particular groups. But, he added, Fire Chief Mike Garcia recognizes the need to further diversify the department.

Robnett, talking as the department spokesman, said there are 309 sworn Aurora firefighters. Eleven are black men; there are no black women. One of the 11 is not eligible to join the union because he is in administration.

Robnett did not know if all 10 eligible black firefighters were union members, at least at some point.

The city's black population is almost 13.5 percent, according to 2000 census figures of those who identify their race as black. The equivalent figure in the fire department would be about 41 black firefighters.

"I think that's a bit ambitious," Robnett said, not speaking for the department, but added, "I would like to see the diversity numbers of the fire department increasing rather than decreasing."