Bravest fume at FDNY

[hang a left]

Bravest fume at FDNY

30 to file suit over 9/11 pension woes

BY JOHN MARZULLI
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Numerous firefighters who survived 9/11 have found themselves trapped in desk jobs - too ill to battle blazes but not sick enough to qualify for disability pensions, the Daily News has learned.

A group of 30 active and retired firefighters are now preparing a class-action lawsuit to force the Fire Department to make up its mind - restore them to active duty or let them retire on disability.

The firefighters were designated for light duty by FDNY doctors who found them disabled by asthma or other lung-related problems. But in late 2003, the medical board of the pension fund changed the standard for lung disability, according to the Uniformed Firefighters Association.

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http://nydailynews.com/front/story/358955p-305860c.html
"The rules changed after the Fire Department realized how many firefighters were affected by 9/11," said lawyer Jeffrey Goldberg of Lake Success, L.I., who is preparing the lawsuit.

[tularetom]

1. These guys deserve better

I wonder wtf the fire dept is doing carrying all these extra employees on the payroll. I mean they still need x number of firefighters to do the job and these guys are not contributing to that effort. From the FD's standpoint wouldn't it be cheaper to let them take disability retirement? I doubt they need that many extra people on desk duty and retirement is one of the options the union has presented them with.

[annabanana]

2. First responders were supposed to

be big beneficiaries of the new Homeland Security Department.
They have gotten squat. WORSE than squat, they have had firehouses and positions taken away.

[Mabus]

5. Exactly and that is outrageous

The first responders continue to be screwed by DHS and BushCo by cuts all across the board. First they aren't paid enough now they're no longer entitled to their full benefits? I find it particularly outrageous since FEMA told them the air was safe and these people (along with thousands of ordinary citizens from around the country) are now paying for FEMA's early ineptitude.

[jayfish]

3. Umm.. Not To Be Insensitive Here, But...

if they are capable of doing desk jobs, why shouldn't they? Because it's not the job they want to do? Billions of people do jobs they don't want to do every day. Why the special consideration?

Jay

[JoFerret]

4. I agree with that

IF they are fit enough.
However the real story is the shameless exploitation of these firefighters for political ends and the shameless treeatment they have recieved from GOP administrations.
And in spite of all that many continue to be very conservative.

[Metta]

6. Sick because * lied. Said air after 9-11 was okay to breathe.

Look for more to get sick. Same with N.O.

[Fleshdancer]

7. This is f*cked up

"The firefighters were designated for light duty by FDNY doctors who found them disabled by asthma or other lung-related problems. But in late 2003, the medical board of the pension fund changed the standard for lung disability, according to the Uniformed Firefighters Association."

THIS is how we treat our heroes? :wtf:

[tk2kewl]

8. I don't see why they cant perform less strenuous duty

NY firefighters do an heroic job, but they get a more than fair shake. Most of them are retired and collecting pensions before they are 50 and most of them have time to run a side business while they are on the force.

We should do everything necessary to support any health problems they have but I don't see any reason to simply pay them 75% pay to retire when they can still perform any number of department functions.

[ninkasi]

9. So this is how our country treats

the ones who face death. Bush couldn't get in enough photo-ops with firemen right after 9-11, could he? Firemen, policemen, our troops...they are our heroes until they are wounded, then they are swept out of sight and ignored. They deserve more than this.

They might be doing desk jobs, but that doesn't mean they are well enough to do them, either. Changing the standards simply because so many were disabled is shameful and wrong. We have a government which pampers and rewards the rich, and uses and discards the rest of us.

[JPZenger]

10. Standard Operating Procedure for Police and Fire

It is standard operating procedure for police and firefighters who are partially disabled or temporarily unfit for duty. If they cannot respond to calls, but are not fully disabled, they are given "light duty" jobs. If these firefighters were not available to do the light duty jobs, then additional employees would need to be hired. I don't understand their complaint - they are still getting paid and still getting their benefits, they are just not allowed to sit around the house and watch TV all day. They have it better than most firefighters because they probably work a straight day shift and don't have any physical hazards.