An FDNY firefighter died of a heart attack just months after being fired as part of the city’s effort to free up cash for the migrant crisis, leaving his devastated widow and children fighting to keep a roof over their heads.
Derek Floyd, 36, died of heart arrest on April 15, four months after the city fired him as part of a bigger drive to reduce staff and pay for housing and services for the tens of thousands of migrants flooding the Big Apple.
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Floyd was one of roughly ten Fire Department employees who had been on “long-term duty”—either injured on the job and assigned office duties or absent for a lengthy period of time—and were discharged weeks before Christmas, according to FDNY sources.
Floyd, a Marine veteran who spent three tours in the Middle East, has been working a desk job at the Fire Department chaplain’s office after suffering another heart attack while attending the Fire Academy in 2019.
The firefighter, who was on reduced duty in the chaplain’s office, assisted in the arrangements for the funerals of deceased FDNY comrades.
The married father of two small children was seeking medical clearance to rejoin the firefighting unit prior to his termination.
Floyd was about to receive more medical benefits and more than $600,000 in death benefits when he lost his job, leaving his family with nothing despite his years of service.
“I wouldn’t wish it on anyone,” Floyd’s 34-year-old widow, Cristine, told The Post about their family’s ordeal.
“I think it definitely took a toll once they let him go,” she said about her husband’s dismissal. “He always tried to be positive about it, and he wasn’t really furious.
“But you see a person, and the wheels are turning in their brain where they’re just constantly thinking, so I definitely think it did affect us.”
Floyd obtained a position with a non-profit that helps veterans after being dismissed, but the salary was a fraction of what he earned with the FDNY, the benefits were limited, and the hours prohibited him from spending time with their two children, a 6-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl.
“He used to be so present for, like, our kids and stuff,” Cristine added. “Being a firefighter was something he was extremely passionate about.” He was a huge family person who cared deeply about his children.
“If Derek would have stayed on, he would have had a life insurance policy with the FDNY,” she claimed. “That would have helped financially, because things are really bad right now.” “I honestly have a lot of debt.”
Floyd’s dismissal was part of City Hall’s intention to reduce the FDNY budget by $74 million by the end of 2025 to make room for migrant spending.
It’s unclear how many “long-term duty” employees will be let go as part of the endeavor, but there are usually between 800 and 1,000 designated individuals at any given time.
Budget cuts are also affecting the NYPD, resulting in the cancellation of five Police Academy courses and a $132 million reduction.
Additionally, the city Department of Education would lose about $547 million, and the Department of Sanitation would see a $32 million budget cut.
Floyd’s firing, as well as the circumstances surrounding his death as a result, have outraged people.
“What concerns me most is that the FDNY is understaffed by hundreds of firefighters.” Andrew Ansbro, President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, told The Post that terminating [Floyd] was completely unjustified.
“He had an important job, and the FDNY really needed him in that section.” The department fired him to show that they were making cuts, according to Ansbro.
Cristine stated that the most difficult aspect of their experience has been witnessing her husband struggle to make ends meet while remaining present with his family following the termination.
“I really, really loved him, and so it was hard,” she told me.
“We are heartbroken over the passing of former probationary firefighter Derek Floyd and will explore all financial, legal, and legislative options to help his family and ensure they have the support they need during this time,” Laura Kavanagh, the fire commissioner, said in a statement.
City Hall did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Make checks payable to the “New York Firefighters Foundation” and mail donations to FF Derek Floyd, C/O UFA-NNYFFinc, 204 E. 23rd St., NY, NY 10010.
