The family of a New York City firefighter was left distraught after he was fired by the department and later died of a heart attack at the age of 36, leaving them without any income or death benefits.
Derek Floyd, 36, went into cardiac arrest and died on April 15, just four months after the city laid him off as part of a budget crisis to fund immigrant services.
Floyd’s death has left his grieving widow, six-year-old son Ethan and two-year-old daughter Abigail facing the terrifying prospect of not being able to pay for their house.
Floyd had been a firefighter for four years and was one of approximately ten Fire Department employees on “long-term service.” His firing came days before Christmas, leaving his family ineligible for the $600,000 in death benefits they would have received had he not been fired.
‘If Derek had stayed, he would have had a life insurance policy with the FDNY. That would have helped financially because right now the situation is really bad. Honestly, I’m swimming in a lot of debt,” his grieving widow revealed.
The family of a New York City firefighter was left distraught after he was fired by the department and later died of a heart attack at the age of 36. Derek Floyd is seen on the left, with his wife Christine, his six-year-old son Ethan, and his daughter. , Abigail, two
Floyd, had served since 2019 and was discharged along with others in long-term service despite needing employment benefits.
Several FDNY members attended Floyd’s funeral earlier this month.
Long-term service may mean that a firefighter was injured on the job and assigned office work, or is ill for an extended period of time.
The city aims to cut the FDNY budget by $74 million by the end of 2025 to make way for additional spending on immigrants.
In Floyd’s case, he had been working in the chaplain’s office after suffering an earlier heart attack in 2019 while still at the Fire Academy.
Before joining the New York Bravest, Floyd had completed three tours in the Middle East, serving in the Marines.
In a cruel twist of fate, the father of two young children was on his way to being medically cleared so he could re-enter the force as a firefighter.
“I wouldn’t wish it on anyone,” widow Cristine Floyd, 34, said. New York Post.
Before joining the New York Bravest, Floyd had completed three tours in the Middle East, serving with the Marines.
Floyd is seen in his uniform while serving with the Marines in a 2013 image.
“I think it definitely took its toll once they let him go. “He always tried to stay positive about it and wasn’t really angry.
“But you see a person and the wheels in their brain are turning and they’re constantly thinking, so I definitely think it did affect us,” Christine explained.
‘I used to be very present for our kids and stuff. Being a firefighter was something he was really passionate about. He really was a great family person, he cared about his children.
She said it was difficult to watch him struggle to make a living while also trying to be present with his family.
Floyd is seen in ceremonial uniform during a 2012 photograph.
When he returned to the U.S., Floyd helped boost recruitment of those considering a career in the military.
“I really loved him a lot, so it was hard,” she said.
After Floyd was fired, he found work at a nonprofit that helps veterans, but the pay was much less than the FDNY, there were limited health benefits, and he couldn’t spend as much time with his children.
‘What concerns me most is that the FDNY is understaffed with hundreds of firefighters. Firing (Floyd) was absolutely unnecessary,’ said Uniformed Firefighters Association President Andrew Ansbro.
‘He had an important job and the FDNY really needed him in that unit. He was fired so the department could show they were making cuts. “He deserved better,” Ansbro said.
Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh says the FDNY is looking into how they can help.
“We are heartbroken by the passing of former probationary firefighter Derek Floyd and will explore all financial, legal and legislative options to assist his family and ensure they have the support they need during this time,” said Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh.