It was a routine call like so many others across William Tolley’s 14 years with the FDNY, a two-alarm apartment fire — until something went horribly, inexplicably wrong. Tolley, 42, the married father of an 8-year-old girl, died after a bizarre five-story plunge while working on the roof of a Queens building hit by a small blaze three floors below, officials said.
- PUB DATE: 4/21/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Daily News

A plan to eliminate Deal's three paid firefighter positions, which cost as much as $500,000 a year, comes about a month after the borough settled a claim that it did not pay the men overtime, the firefighters' attorney confirmed. Labor attorney Jim Mets, who represents the firefighters, said he is considering a retaliation lawsuit against the borough.
- PUB DATE: 4/21/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Asbury Park Press

Two town firefighters are leaving their department to work in other towns because they say a local taxpayer group has made them concerned their jobs are in jeopardy. Firefighters Adam Mills and Corey Greaney accepted jobs in other communities, citing calls from the taxpayer group We Are 03862 Strong to cut spending on police and fire services as a prominent reason.
- PUB DATE: 4/21/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Firehouse

An arbitrator has awarded raises of more than 2 percent for each of the next two years to Hawaii firefighters in a binding decision that may be the bellwether of ongoing contract negotiations with all of the state and county public worker unions this year. Hawaii Fire Fighters Association President Robert “Bobby” Lee said the decision earlier this week also continues with salary step movement salary increases every three years for fire fighters based on their employment anniversaries.
- PUB DATE: 4/21/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Star Advertiser

City officials are being forced to turn to some unlikely heroes to make sure the city’s fire and EMS services receive much needed new vehicles. Because of the city’s financial crisis, officials are making a deal with private citizens who can front the cost for new emergency vehicles. In an interesting twist, the city is also willing to put up city hall as collateral for the deal, as an assurance to the lenders that they will get paid back.
- PUB DATE: 4/21/2017 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Progress-Index