Derek Floyd: Outrage as NYC firefighter laid off to free funds for migrant crisis dies of heart attack

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Outrage spread like wildfire on social media after a young firefighter passing away from a heart attack just months after losing his job in budget cuts as part of the city’s effort to free up funds for its migrant crisis.

People are furious at the injustice faced by the 36-year-old and his family, who had dedicated themselves to serving the community. With the firefighter's untimely demise, his loved ones are now left without any source of income, according to reports from the Daily Mail.

Former firefighter Derek Floyd loses life due to heart attack 4 months after being fired

According to the Daily Mail, the New York City firefighter's family was struggling after he was let go by the department and then died from a heart attack at the age of 36, leaving them without any source of income.

Derek Floyd suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away on April 15 at the age of 36, just four months after being fired by the city as part of budget cuts to fund services for migrants.

His sudden death has left his grieving wife, six-year-old son Ethan, and two-year-old daughter Abigail facing the daunting reality of financial instability.

Floyd had served as a firefighter for four years and was one of about ten Fire Department employees on 'long-term duty.' His termination came right before Christmas, rendering his family ineligible for $600,000 in death benefits they would have received had he remained employed, as per the Daily Mail.

Cristine, Floyd's wife, disclosed, "If Derek would have stayed on, he would have had a life insurance policy with the FDNY. That would have helped out financially because right now, it's really bad. I'm honestly swimming in a lot of debt."

The city aims to slash the FDNY budget by $74 million by the end of 2025 to allocate more funds to support migrants. In Floyd's case, he had been working in the chaplain's office after suffering a prior heart attack in 2019 while still in the Fire Academy, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Before joining the New York Fire Department, Floyd had completed three tours in the Middle East, serving as a Marine. In a cruel twist of fate, the father of two young children was on track to be medically cleared to re-enter the force as a firefighter.

"I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I think it definitely took a toll once they let him go. He always tried to stay positive about it, and he wasn't really angry. But you see a person, and the wheels are turning in their brain where they're just constantly thinking, so I definitely think it did affect us. He used to be so present for, like, our kids and stuff. Being a firefighter was something he was really passionate about. He was really a big-time, like, family person, he was all about his kids," Cristine shared with the New York Post.

After Floyd's termination, he found employment with a nonprofit that assists veterans, but the pay was significantly lower than what he earned with the FDNY, there were limited medical benefits, and he couldn't spend as much time with his children.

Uniformed Firefighter Association President Andrew Ansbro expressed, "What disturbs me the most is that the FDNY is understaffed by hundreds of firefighters. Terminating [Floyd] was absolutely unnecessary. He had an important job, and the FDNY actually needed him in that unit. He was terminated so the department could prove that they were making cuts. He deserved better."

Internet users assert the government should bear responsibility

A user on X wrote, "This is so shameful. He served his country and his community and this is how he and his family are repaid."

A reader online wrote, "That is terrible! What happened to love, compassion and respect. They didn’t have to do that. That is awful of our government on so many levels. He sacrificed his life to service as a firefighter and this is his reward? Sick."

Another user wrote, "Anyone still need proof our government (who takes our money) puts the well being of us tax paying, law abiding citizens last on the priority list?"

A user commented, "I think illegal immigration has to stop it’s just not fair, countries of origin must bear some responsibility surely?"

Another user commented, "This is a travesty that this man was fired. He is an American Citizen who grew up in New York, is a Marine, and joined the Fire Department to provide for his family and serve the City he grew up in and loved. Only to be dismissed for individuals who have never worked a day in the USA and are being given everything...this is NOT acceptable....AND MUST stop!"

A user stated, "Ugh. What a terrible thing to happen to this guy and his family, not only did we lose a man who gave his life to public service and safety but the city could have kept him and the other firefighters as they have money to waste on all of the illegals."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.