A member of the Utica Common Council has issued a formal apology for comments made about Utica firefighters during a recent budget meeting.
At the Feb. 26 budget meeting, Fire Chief Scott Ingersoll spoke to the Common Council about PFAS — a cancer-causing chemical — found in firefighter turnout gear and the need to begin replacements.
Councilor Jack LoMedico said during discussions, “…that’s what we pay you hazardous duty for” in a joking manner.
A quick rebuke from the Utica Professional Firefighters Association followed.
“We want to be very clear: there is nothing funny about cancer in the fire service,” Utica Professional Firefighters Association President Mark Nicoletta Jr. said in a statement. “Every member of this department knows someone who has been affected. We have retirees battling occupational cancer right now. We have members in remission. We have members actively fighting cancer who still show up for work and do the job this community asks of them. Those families were watching that meeting. They didn’t find it funny.”
Apology letter
In a letter to the Utica Fire Department, Councilor LoMedico apologized for the comment and said he regretted it.
“I made a very poor off-the-cuff remark when I said that’s why they receive hazardous duty pay. It was careless. It was wrong. And I take full responsibility,” LoMedico wrote. “I understand how that comment was disturbing, disrespectful, hurtful, and now very regrettable. Please know that that was never my intention. But intention does not erase impact, and I fully acknowledge the impact of my words — especially to the firefighters here who are now battling cancer, those in remission, and to the families who have lost loved ones to cancer caused by exposure on the job.”
LoMedico said in his statement that “…we all know firefighters face higher risks of cancer because of toxic exposure” and that he should have chosen his words better.
“Being tired or going through personal loss is no excuse. I am an elected official, and I must do better. To our firefighters: I am truly sorry. I respect you. I value you,” LoMedico said. “And as in the past, I will continue to support funding for the safety equipment and protective gear you need to do your jobs as safely as possible.”
No hazard pay for Utica firefighters
In the statement from Nicoletta, the president said that Utica firefighters do not receive hazard pay and “…never have.”
“There was an opportunity for the City to give hazard pay using ARPA funds to the men and women of this union who faced COVID-19 head-on and brought the virus home to their families,” Nicoletta said. “The city decided not to use any of the $60+ million to show appreciation to their first responders. We will continue to serve this city professionally and without hesitation. All we ask is that our health and safety be treated with the seriousness they deserve, not as a punchline.”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Utica councilor apologizes for comment made to firefighters
Reporting by Casey Pritchard, Utica Observer Dispatch / Observer-Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
