New York City is mourning the loss of a young firefighter, Derek Floyd, who passed away at the age of 36 from a heart attack. His death has left his family devastated, and struggling financially, as he was fired by the city from his job just four months prior.
This decision has left his widow, Cristine Floyd, and their two young children, without any income or financial support. The city’s decision to let go of Floyd, along with other firefighters, was part of a budget cut to allocate funds for migrant services. This has sparked fury and criticism from many, including the Uniformed Firefighters Association president, Andrew Ansbro.
According to reports, Floyd had been a firefighter for four years and was one of around ten employees on “long-term duty.” This means that he was either injured on the job and unable to perform his duties or was on extended sick leave. Despite his health struggles, Floyd was still passionate about his job and was determined to return to the force. His previous deployment as a Marine in the Middle East showed his dedication to serving and protecting his community. However, this was not enough to save his job.
The city’s aim to cut the FDNY budget by $74 million by 2025 has had a severe impact on Floyd’s family and their future. His widow revealed that had he not been fired, Floyd would have had a life insurance policy with the FDNY, which would have helped them financially. With two young children to care for, the loss of this financial support has put Cristine in a difficult situation. Furthermore, she shared that Floyd was in the process of being medically cleared to return to active duty before being let go.
Despite his family’s struggle, Floyd remained positive and tried to focus on finding other employment opportunities. He had found work with a non-profit organization that helps veterans, but it was not enough to support his family.
Not only was the pay significantly less than his FDNY job, but he also had limited medical benefits and was unable to spend as much time with his children. According to Cristine, this had a huge impact on him, as he was a family-oriented man who loved being a firefighter.
The Uniformed Firefighters Association president, Andrew Ansbro, has openly criticized the city’s decision to fire Floyd. He believes that it was unnecessary, especially since the FDNY is currently understaffed by several hundred firefighters. Ansbro claims that Floyd’s termination was solely for the purpose of proving budget cuts and that he was a valuable asset to the department. He also noted that Floyd was terminated from his position in the chaplain’s office, where he was needed, and not from active duty.
The FDNY has expressed its condolences and is looking into ways to support Floyd’s grieving family. Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh stated that they are heartbroken over the loss of former Probationary Firefighter Derek Floyd. She promises to explore all financial, legal, and legislative options to assist the family during this difficult time.
The city’s decision has not only affected Floyd’s family but has also raised questions about the city’s priorities and whether budget cuts should come at the cost of essential services and the livelihoods of first responders. As the community mourns the loss of a dedicated firefighter, they also demand answers and resolutions to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
