Utica, NY, Council Member Jokes About Hazard Pay During Firefighter Cancer Discussion

Utica's fire union spoke out after a councilmember joked that firefighters receive hazard pay during a budget discussion where the fire chief was asking for PFAS-free turnout gear.

Peter Matthews

March 3, 2026

2 min read

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Find the latest on this story here: Utica, NY, Councilman Apologizes for Hazard Pay Quip 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.

"...at a Common Council budget meeting, a council member made an off-color comment while the Fire Chief was advocating for making a push to get away from turnout gear that contains PFAS. While learning that non-PFAS turnout gear has a lower durability than the dangerous PFAS turnout gear, councilperson Jack Lomedico’s response was “well that’s what we pay you hazardous duty for” and proceeded to laugh," Utica Professional Firefighters/IAFF Local 32 shared in a statement.

"As we have members of this Local actively fighting cancer, and members in remission, this comment is detestable," the union continued. "This isn’t politics. This is firefighter health and safety."

Lomedico is expected to make a statement at tomorrow’s council meeting, the television station reported.