FDNY Ladder Crew Suspended For Actions at Senator’s Office

Six FDNY firefighters have been suspended after taking their apparatus to the office of a state legislator last week and “berating” his staff over the COVID vaccine mandate. Members of Ladder 113 reportedly went to Senator Zellnor Myrie’s office in Brooklyn and told his staffers they would have “blood on their hands” over implementation of the vaccine mandate.

The incident reportedly occurred last Friday. The New York Post quoted Myrie as saying”

  • “I am outraged.”
  • “One, that on duty officers who were supposed to be focused on keeping us safe and responding to emergencies would attempt to use their uniforms and their fire truck to intimidate my staff.”
  • “[S]econdly, it is disturbing that they would approach a state elected official for a city mandate and would I think offer veiled threats about my own safety by asking where I live personally.”

The Post also reported that the firefighters said they would not respond to Myrie’s house for a fire. Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro was quoted as saying:

  • “This is a highly inappropriate act by on-duty members of this Department who should only be concerned with responding to emergencies and helping New Yorkers and not harassing an elected official and his staff.”

Also last week, the firefighters union filed suit in state court seeking an injunction to block implementation of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s vaccine mandate. If implemented, the mandate may result in the closure of up to 20% of their apparatus. More on the lawsuit.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
x

Check Also

ALJ Reverses Harsh Sanctions in Muncie Cheating Scandal Case

An administrative law judge has reversed the harsh disciplinary sanctions imposed upon a Muncie Fire Department captain in the aftermath of the widely-known cheating scandal that wracked the department last year. Fire Captain Troy Dulaney had both his firefighting and EMS credentials revoked following investigations into alleged cheating by his students of state exams.

Ottawa Firefighters Not Guilty in Alleged Firehouse Assault

The YCMTSU criminal case against an Ottawa firefighter and his officer arising out of a firehouse scuffle, has come to a close with both being found not guilty of all charges. The scuffle was precipitated by what began as a friendly dispute involving a senior firefighter who wanted to handle dishwashing chores, and a rookie who insisted on doing it themselves.