Long Island village votes to eliminate career firefighters
Garden City is one of only two career departments on Long Island
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One of only two career fire departments on Long Island is being eliminated following a vote last (Wednesday) night. The Garden City Village board voted 6-1 to abolish the 90-year-old career department and rely on Garden City’s volunteer firefighters. Career firefighters were immediately placed on administrative leave and ordered not to show up for work today.
The public hearing, with much support for the firefighters, can he be seen in the video above. Garden City officials make the point there were just three fires in 2017. Mayor Brian Daughney points out having career firefighters costs more than $2 million per year in salaries and benefits or 3 percent of the budget.
“We have no problem in our village delivering the same service as other communities that don’t have paid contingents and they’re not burning down,” Daughney said. “We’re carrying a workforce that does not benefit the people carrying the bill — the taxpayers.”
Garden City Union President TJ Michon said the board turned down a contract with paid firefighters with a no layoff protection for five years.
“There was a consistent message sent from the board of trustees that ‘we no longer want professional firefighters. We no longer want you to be here,’” Michon said.
Residents pleaded with the board to postpone a vote and to maintain its paid force for resident protection.
