New York City Mayor Eric Adams defended the firing of a firefighter whose family was left in financial turmoil and died months later, saying keeping him on would be a waste of “taxpayer money.”
Adams’ comments come as the FDNY chief told the Post he was fired as part of cost-cutting measures to cover the cost of the Big Apple’s immigration crisis and to help the family of Derek Floyd, who died on April 15. It was announced on Tuesday after he said it was the responsibility of politicians to take action. .
“It’s a truly tragic situation,” Adams told reporters, adding that Floyd suffered a heart attack in 2019 while attending fire academy and was put on shift duty.
Adams denied that the layoffs had anything to do with City Hall’s plan to cut the FDNY’s budget by $74 million by the end of the year, saying, “He had a heart condition that prevented him from graduating from the fire academy, so he He was not qualified to be a firefighter.” 2025.
“You can’t say, ‘Okay, you’re brought in to be a firefighter, you’re not qualified, we’re going to withhold your pay anyway.’ You can’t do that,” Adams said. “That’s not how tax dollars should be spent.”
At the time of his firing, Floyd was working in a pastor’s office helping arrange funerals for deceased FDNY members. He was seeking medical clearance to rejoin the fire department before being fired.
The mayor said the city would assist “within legal limits,” but also described the tragic situation as “just a life.”
“You can decide something on Monday and something can happen on Tuesday. That’s just how life is,” Adams said. “His medical condition prevented him from becoming a firefighter.
“It’s very unfortunate because he was supposedly a great young man for the FDNY. But that’s the reality we were facing and we’re going to be here for the family as much as possible.”
Floyd, 36, was released from the FDNY in November, but is months away from becoming eligible for additional medical benefits and a $600,000 pension.
He was one of about 10 firefighters on “long-term duty,” who were injured on the job and assigned to office work, or took long breaks due to illness. They were fired weeks before Christmas, FDNY officials told the Post. Time of dismissal.
But on Tuesday, Mr. Adams denied that the layoffs had anything to do with immigration spending.
“We’re not making layoffs. We’re not raising taxes, despite what we’re going through,” Adams said.
Several politicians called on authorities to intervene to help Floyd’s family, as he died months before receiving his city pension. But FDNY Secretary Laura Kavanaugh said “action” could only come through new legislation.
“The ball is in their court,” Kavanaugh told the Post at the FDNY’s promotion ceremony Tuesday morning. “Changing his pension eligibility status would require action by city, state, or federal law.”
Kavanagh said the FDNY helped pay for Floyd’s funeral and is encouraging FDNY-affiliated foundations to financially support Floyd’s family. And Kavanaugh said firefighters are considering other options to help Floyd’s family.
“We have started a scholarship for his children and family. We are also looking at legal and legislative options to give his wife some options. This is a truly tragic and sad event. ” Kavanaugh said.
