Union officials say it fell outside of their job description while city officials argue that it's the same as when belongings are savaged from homes that are damaged by fire or flooding.
"I don't see it as any different," Mayor Clare Higgins said. "This is a salvage operation. This is an elderly gentleman in desperate need of help from the city."
Seventy-seven year-old John Masloski's home in Laurel Park caved in under the weight of the snow and it was later ordered to be demolished by the city for safety reasons.
Four firefighters were sent to the scene on Feb. 24 and the union claims that they were "ordered" to help remove his personal item from the house.
The complaint filed with the state Division of Labor Relations states that the city "changed the job duties" without providing notice.
The salvaged possessions included old tools, a hand-carved cigar store Indian, an antique Dr. Pepper sign, an old record player and an unused Whirlpool washing machine that the man won in a contest years ago.
"The building commissioner asked if an engine company could assist, which I assigned," Fire Chief Brian P. Duggan said. "They were there for the demo and could be pulled away" in an emergency.
He said he the task was protecting property, something that is a commonplace in the job.
