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.
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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