A New York firefighter has passed away from a heart attack months after being laid off due to the city’s budget cuts to address the migrant crisis. Derek Floyd, 36, suffered cardiac arrest and died four months after being let go as part of a larger effort to reduce staff and allocate funds for migrant services, according to the New York Post.
Floyd, a veteran who served in the Marines, had been working in a desk job at the Fire Department chaplain’s office due to a previous heart attack in 2019. Despite his efforts to return to active duty, he was let go along with 10 other firefighters on long-term duty.
His death left his wife and two children without over $600,000 in death benefits. Despite finding work at a non-profit with lower pay and fewer benefits, Floyd’s family struggled financially.
New York’s decision to cut $74 million from the FDNY budget to address the migrant crisis has left the department understaffed. The firing of Floyd was criticized as unnecessary by the Uniformed Firefighter Association President.
The loss of Floyd highlights the impact of budget cuts on essential services and the individuals they employ.
