(New York-WABC, May 27, 2005) -- Fire commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, is turning on his own men with an unprecedented attack. Scoppetta is accusing firefighters and their union of intentionally risking the lives of New Yorkers.
Fire commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, is turning on his own men with an unprecedented attack. Scoppetta is accusing firefighters and their union of intentionally risking the lives of New Yorkers. Eyewitness News reporter Ken Rosato has more on the story.
Scoppetta's firetrucks and ambulances are taking a lot longer to reach scenes where extra seconds can mean lives lost.
Scoppetta blames the delays on a union plot to stop the city from closing firehouses. Scoppetta says union bosses are intentionally trying to increase response times. The union, he says, wants to force the FDNYto re-open closed firehouses and increase staffing.
The city closed six engine companies two years ago and Scoppetta says the union campaign is alarming and dangerous.
In a letter to union leaders he says: "Your concerted effort to drive up response times jeopardizes public safety." Scoppetta calls it,"the very worst kind of union action imaginable."
Fire engine response times are up 18 seconds. The response to medical emergencies is up 22 seconds.
Scoppetta says the union is telling drivers to stop at all red lights and stop signs while heading to calls even though regulations, don't require a stop.
Union leaders call the commissioner's charge "ridiculous" but Scoppetta says the union campaign began after a spectacular fire truck crash in the Bronx last July.
A civilian was killed when the fire rig went through a red light at 30 miles an hour.
The FDNY took disciplinary action against the rig's driver and a fire officer.
