Fire chief suspended for letting terminally ill member drive fire truck during parade

A terminally ill member of the South Farmingdale Fire Department in Nassau County, New York was allowed to drive a fire truck in the Memorial Day parade leading to a 30-day suspension for Chief James Martin. According to the Farmingdale Patch, the member was on cancer medication and because of the illness was forced to reduce his involvement in the department.

Paige McAtee, Farmingdale Patch:

South Farmingdale Fire Commissioner Tom Mastakouris told Patch that he suspended Martin “for failure to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the public and members of the department,” adding, “We felt that this was an offense that really should be held accountable.”

Mastakouris said it was ”a lack of judgement” on Martin’s part and he had to be held accountable. “He’s not a bad guy,” he told Patch. “He’s a great chief.”