‘Teflon probie’ is no more. New firefighter again fails running test & heads back to EMS
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According to the New York Post, the woman the tabloid dubbed the "Teflon probie" failed on her sixth try to run 1.5 miles in less than 12 minutes. Thirty-one year-old Wendy Tapia officially resigned on Thursday and according to an FDNY spokesman, will be heading back at her old job in EMS.
Tapia was one of five women among 285 new firefighters who graduated from the FDNY’s Randall’s Island training academy on May 17. The class of EMTs and paramedics was hailed as one of the most diverse ever.
She was assigned to Engine No. 316 in East Elmhurst, Queens, but never worked a shift. After recovering from a foot injury, she went on light duty and continued training for the run. She failed it five times, last on Halloween, clocking 12 minutes 23 seconds.
Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano, at the behest of United Women Firefighters, a group of active and retired FDNY women, gave Tapia another chance to pass the test on Dec. 2. But on the heels of a Post article on her special treatment, Tapia tried again early, and then threw in the towel.
