City lawmakers called on the mayor and FDNY officials to assist the family of former firefighter Derek Floyd who passed away after being fired due to budget cuts to cover costs related to the migrant crisis in New York City. Floyd died of a heart attack and his family was left with financial struggles after he was let go late last year. Politicians from both parties expressed outrage at the treatment of Floyd, with some questioning why a man who served the country and the city was treated so poorly. Bob Holden and others demanded better treatment for Floyd’s family and criticized the city for its handling of the situation.
Derek Floyd, a Marine veteran, was terminated in November just before budget cuts were implemented, resulting in him losing out on over $600,000 in death benefits he would have been entitled to if he had still been on the job. The fire department targeted employees on long-term duty who were unable to return to work for over a year and a half to meet budget cuts. Floyd had joined the FDNY in 2019 but was unable to complete the fire academy due to a heart attack. He had been assigned to work in the ceremonial unit, which handles department funeral arrangements. Floyd’s widow Christine expressed the toll that losing his job took on him, and called for the mayor to rectify the situation.
Joe Borelli and other officials criticized the treatment of Floyd and his family, calling for special exceptions to be made to ensure they receive the benefits he would have been entitled to. Councilmember Joann Ariola referred to the situation as a “travesty” and emphasized that the Floyd family deserves better. She called on the city to find a way to guarantee proper benefits for the family of a hero like Derek Floyd, given the city’s substantial budget. Bronx Democrat Oswald Feliz also called for support for the family to prevent financial instability resulting from their loss.
Despite initial claims that Floyd’s firing was unrelated to budget cuts, Fire officials mentioned it as part of the cost-cutting measures. The Adams administration disputed the connection between Floyd’s firing and the budget cuts. The FDNY Foundation has been in talks to help the family financially after Floyd’s passing, but a timeline for assistance was not immediately available. The Uniformed Firefighter Association set up a fund to support Floyd’s family, with donations being made to the New York Firefighters Foundation. Additionally, the FDNY Foundation established a college fund for Floyd’s young children and provided support for funeral costs and counseling.
Overall, the situation surrounding Derek Floyd’s firing and subsequent passing has sparked outrage and calls for better treatment of his family from city lawmakers and officials. The handling of Floyd’s termination, the impact on his family, and the efforts to assist them have raised questions about the city’s priorities and treatment of its employees. Calls for special exemptions, better support, and proper benefits for the Floyd family continue, with lawmakers and officials urging the city to take action to ensure the family of a fallen hero like Derek Floyd receive the support and benefits they deserve.
