People will die in New York City. That’s the message being delivered by Andrew Ansbro, President of the New York City Uniformed Firefighters Association in light of Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s vaccine mandate that could force over 30% of firefighters off the job.
“For the mayor to turn around and say we can run this department with 25 to 35 percent fewer members is ignoring the act that we can’t even keep firehouses open today,” Ansbro said.
New York City Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said the department will do its best to protect and serve the residents of the city.
“The Department must manage the unfortunate fact that a portion of our workforce has refused to comply with a vaccine mandate for all city employees,” Nigro said in a statement Wednesday. “We will use all means at our disposal, including mandatory overtime, mutual aid from other EMS providers, and significant changes to the schedules of our members. We will ensure the continuity of operations and safety of all those we have sworn oaths to serve.”
Ansbro appeared on Fox News with Brian Kilmeade, warning fires are going to burn longer, heart attack victims going to be laying on the floor longer for us to get there and people could be stuck in elevators for hours, if not days.
De Blasio gave some 50,000 city employees a deadline of Friday to get vaccinated, or they would be sent home without pay come Monday.
The New York City Police Department is facing a similar deadline as 15% of the city’s police officers remain unvaccinated as of Friday.
Deputy Commissioner John Miller said, “NYPD continues to make COVID vaccines available, the number of vaccinated members is increasing. The department currently has an 84% vaccination rate and climbing. Thanks to the Medical Division and to the officers and civilians who stepped up.”