Gerald Fitzgerald, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA)–the Fire Department of New York’s (FDNY’s) largest union–said New York City (NYC) Mayor Bill de Blasio is threatening the jobs of first responders and using them as political pawns over NYC federal funding when their “heroism is on display every single day,” according to a report from CNN.com.
Fitzgerald said that, although he understands that funding is an issue, the FDNY shouldn’t be threatened.
On Wednesday morning, de Blasio said the economy has already lost $7.4 billion, and, without a fourth federal stimulus package, first responders may be subject to furloughs and layoffs. De Blasio said that first responders, health care workers, and educators may face furloughs in cities and states across the country because of the economic strain the COVID-19 pandemic is causing.
Fitzgerald also stated that FDNY members are working long hours and are watching others fight for their lives during the pandemic as they worry about bringing the virus home and infecting their families.
De Blasio said that the work cities and states are doing against the coronavirus has been done largely without the help of the federal government, pointing out that testing is greatly needed.
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