Opinion

Bravest should be the best: Fair FDNY tests for all

The Issue: FDNY hiring off an exam that meets federal Judge Nicholas Garaufis’ “diversity” demands.

***

I hope all New York residents got a chance to read Uniformed Firefighters Association President Steve Cassidy’s article (“Fighting Fires With Less Than The Best,” PostOpinion, Oct. 8).

As a lieutenant in the FDNY, I have always been proud of the members under my command. No matter their skin color, gender or religious beliefs, I knew that I was working with the best because of the hard written and physical tests they had taken.

I can’t say the same for future candidates, with a watered-down written exam and a physical that is pass/fail instead of competitive.

When will New Yorkers care about wanting the best-qualified members for the job?

I fear they won’t until they are trapped in an apartment fire, pinned in a car accident or stuck in a stalled elevator.

Only then will they wonder, “Are the firefighters smart enough and strong enough to save me?”

By that point, it may be too late.

Robert Sobocienski

Huntington

Do you want to be rescued by “less than the best”?

I sure as hell would not want that.

Would you want to know that you’re going in for complicated medical surgery with someone who’s holding the scalpel just because of their race, and not their intelligence or capabilities?

Or would you prefer to know that you truly have the best and most-deserving surgeon taking care of you on that table?

Should we dumb down medical entrance exams just to diversify that industry, as well?

Shame on Judge Nicholas Garaufis for approving this and on those who advocated for it. Laura Ruocco

Queens

Almost every day, reference is made to the fairness of the FDNY exam.

I have yet to see any example of even one question that would discriminate against a minority. I cannot even imagine what the content would be.

Show us the test questions.Phil St. Pierre

Massapequa Park