Utica, NY, Council Member Jokes About Hazard Pay During Firefighter Cancer Discussion
A comment from a Utica councilman during a budget meeting drew criticism from the firefighter's union.
Amid a discussion about the fire department purchasing new PPE, Fire Chief Scott Ingersoll was explaining that PFAS-free turnout gear is now available to protect his members as cancer continues to take a toll on firefighters.
“That’s what we pay you hazardous duty for," Councilmember Jack Lomedico said with a laugh, according to WKTV.com.
After the meeting last week, Utica's firefighter union stated that firefighters do not receive hazard pay and called the comment harmful.
Lomedico is expected to make a statement at tomorrow’s council meeting, the television station reported.
About the Author
Peter Matthews
Editor-in-Chief/Conference Director
Peter Matthews is the conference director and editor-in-chief of Firehouse. He has worked at Firehouse since 1999, serving in various roles on both Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com staffs. He completed an internship with the Rochester, NY, Fire Department and served with fire departments in Rush, NY, and Laurel, MD, and was a lieutenant with the Glenwood Fire Company in Glenwood Landing, NY. Matthews served as photographer for the St. Paul, MN, Fire Department and currently is a photographer for the Fort Worth, TX, Fire Department.