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TALLAHASSEE, FL Disabled firefighters in Syracuse, NY say they are very disappointed with City Hall’s decision to cut their income. As of the first week in March, the money that they are entitled to by law is being downsized because the fire chief believes that they are being over paid.

Syracuse firefighters putting out an early morning house fire.

(Photo from www.syracuse.com/news)

The Syracuse firefighters union says it is deeply disappointed with City Hall. Its decision to reduce pay for nine disabled firefighters will alter their lives. The union says the decision seems unfair and believes the firefighters were targeted by the department.

“It affects every one of my members, every one of the firefighters within the City of Syracuse. It’s a kick in the butt.” says union member Paul Motondo.

Disabled firefighter Rick Azzoto explains how he was almost crushed to death by the fire truck he was driving when it flipped over on him. Because of local Municipal Law, Azzoto has been receiving full pay and health benefits for the last twenty seven years. The same goes for the other eight firemen whose pay has been cut. Fire Chief Paul Linnertz reviewed the records last September and concluded that the eight firemen, as well as Azzoto, were being over paid.

In response Azzoto says, “I just feel like the fire department let me down --There’s certain people you shouldn’t go after and I consider myself one of them. How much do you have to give…body parts? It isn’t fair.” 

I interviewed Chief Joel Medina of the City of Hollywood fire department in Hollywood, FL and asked him his thoughts on the budget cuts that fire stations are receiving; especially when it comes to disabled firemen. This is what he had to say:

 "As a firefighter, the budget cuts that most stations are experiencing are just not right. It's all about doing our job and doing it the right way. Budget cuts mean less hours, which could lead to a longer response time in the case of an emergency, or maybe even no help at all, from a nearby fire station. As it relates to the disabled firemen, it is very saddening how they are being treated in Syracuse. We put our lives on the line for the citizens out there. The least the city could do is have our backs in times of injuries and guarantee that we won't have to suffer financially as a result of being disabled."

The firefighters union says the law provides the disabled firefighters with the same amount of pay as if they were active. It says firefighters go the extra mile to save lives and their job description should be more than enough to back the Municipal Law up. City Chief of staff, Bill Ryan says that he directed the fire chief to look over thee salary status of the disabled firefighters because he actually thought they were being under paid. Instead he found that they were being over paid and that led to the reduced pay. “I had no idea it was going to go this way…it just did.” , Ryan stated.

There are mixed emotions among many firefighters on the issue. Some believe the city did not intentionally set out to cut the income of disabled firefighters while others believe they were specifically targeted.

Whatever the reason, the union is moving ahead to challenge the decision in court.

By Briana Alexander

With contributions from firefighternation.com

Photo, Syracuse.com/news

Video, NEWS9OklahomaCity

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