NEW YORK — The New York Post is reporting allegations again that a female FDNY recruit is getting special treatment during training.
Reporters claimed that 39-year-old female candidate was given a uniform and a light duty assignment even though she did not graduate on June 2 with the other 286 cadets. The cadets are required to complete 18 weeks of academy training that includes being able to run 1 ½ miles in 12 minutes without gear.
She failed to meet the required time, taking more than 18 minutes to complete the run, according to the Post.
“She started walking halfway through the run,” a source said. “She couldn’t even make it up the stairs to the locker rooms without taking a break.”
The candidate, a former EMT and mother of two, said she had been hampered by an injury she received during training, according to the report.
“I was injured toward the end of the class during training,” she said. “They put me on light duty until I was able to try again.
She said she was one of several candidates — both male and female — whose ailments prevented them from completing the course, and who were still brought aboard and given light-duty jobs, according to the report.
“The probationary firefighter in question suffered an on-the-job injury and is currently assigned to an administrative light-duty position, which is standard FDNY protocol,” FDNY spokesman Frank Dwyer said.
“It’s a scam,” said a veteran FDNY source. “You’re getting full pay and benefits and all this extra time to prepare either physically or academically for the next test. You can twist your ankle and they put you on light duty.”