NYC firefighter, 36, who was fired in budget crunch to fund migrant shelters ... trends now
The family of a New York City firefighter have been left distraught after he was fired by the department and then died from a heart attack at the age of 36, leaving them without any income whatsoever or death benefits.
Derek Floyd, 36, suffered a cardiac arrest and died on April 15 just four months after the city sacked him as part of a slash in budgets, in order to divert much needed funds towards the city's migrant crisis.
Floyd's death has now left his grieving widow, six-year-old son Ethan and two-year-old daughter Abigail facing the terrifying prospect that they may soon no longer be able to afford a roof over their heads.
Floyd had been a firefighter for four years was one of roughly 10 Fire Department employees who had been on 'long term duty' with his firing coming just days before Christmas.
His dismissal came as the city desperately searched for ways to pay for housing and services for the tens of thousands of migrants arriving in the Big Apple.
The family of a New York City firefighter have been left distraught after he was fired by the department and then died from a heart attack at the age of 36. Derek Floyd is seen left, with his wife Christine, son Ethan, 6, and daughter, Abigail, 2
Derek Floyd, 36, had served since 2019 yet despite having prior health issues he was terminated along with others on long-term duty despite needing job benefits
Several members of the FDNY attended Floyd's funeral earlier this month
The city is aiming to cut the FDNY budget by $74 million by the end of 2025 in order make way for additional spending on migrants.
Long term duty can mean a firefighter was either injured on the job and given office work, or is out sick for an extended period of time.
In Floyd's case, he had been working in the chaplain's office after suffering an earlier heart attack in 2019 while still in the Fire Academy.
Before joining New York's Bravest, Floyd had completed three tours in the Middle East, serving with the Marines.
In a cruel twist of
