FIRE COMMISSIONER NICHOLAS SCOPPETTA ANNOUNCES STIPULATION AND AGREEMENT REACHED WITH FIRE OFFICER INVOLVED IN NEW YEAR’S EVE STATEN ISLAND INCIDENT

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta today announced that a stipulation and agreement has been reached with FDNY Capt. Terrence Sweeney of Ladder Company 76 concerning his actions in regards to the Staten Island firehouse incident on New Year’s Eve.

In the stipulation and agreement, Sweeney acknowledges that as a result of his actions, he violated the following Fire Department rules and regulations:

§ Neglect of Duty (3 counts)
§ Conduct Unbecoming and Prejudicial to the Good Order and Discipline of the Department
§ Conduct Reflecting Discredit to or Reproach on the Department
§ Oath of Office
§ Violation of Department Directive

In addition, Sweeney has also accepted the following penalties: demotion to the rank of firefighter; retirement from the Department effective February 10, 2004 at 0900; fine of one-year’s pay equivalent to $90,883; and waiver of his right to continue any judicial or administrative proceedings or appeal.

“Our fire officers must lead by example and that includes respecting the Oath of Office and the rules and regulations that guide this Department,” said Fire Commissioner Scoppetta. “Whether an officer is leading his or her members into a fire, or setting the tone of a firehouse, we expect behavior that is befitting of an officer and reflects the highest levels of conduct.”

Commissioner Scoppetta also announced that all members assigned to Engine 151 and Ladder 76 will be reassigned to other firehouses in the city and replaced with other members from the Department.

Contact: Francis X. Gribbon / Virginia Lam (718) 999-2056

http://www.nyc.gov