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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 196-11
June 7, 2011

MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION TEMPORARILY INCREASING MAXIMUM AGE FOR FIREFIGHTER EXAM APPLICATIONS

Remarks by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

“The first of three bills before me today is Introductory Number 450-A, sponsored by Council Members Vallone, Williams, Oddo, Crowley, Arroyo, Brewer, Cabrera, Dromm, Fidler, Gentile, Jackson, James, Koppell, Koslowitz, Lander, Mealy, Mendez, Nelson, Palma, Recchia, Rodriguez, Vacca, Vann, Lappin, Garodnick, Van Bramer, Weprin, Eugene, Dilan, Gonzalez, Chin, Greenfield, Mark-Viverito, Reyna, Rose, Wills, Halloran, Koo and Ulrich.  Introductory Number 450-A will temporarily increase the maximum age for filing an application to take the firefighter exam for certain applicants.

“Due to pending litigation, the City has been barred from hiring applicants who took the most recent written exams for firefighter.  Some of these applicants have since passed the age of 29, rendering them ineligible in the event the City begins the hiring process again.

“Introductory Number 450-A will temporarily increase the maximum filing age so that a specific set of applicants — those who aged out of the process and were either on a special military list from an earlier examination or who took a firefighter examination in the last five years — are able to file a new application if they are below the age of 36 at the time they apply for the next competitive or promotion exam.  While things get sorted out in the courts, there is no reason why these potential firefighters should be barred from being hired — and this legislation will ensure that these individuals are treated fairly.

“I would like to thank Fire Commissioner Sal Cassano, Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Edna Wells Handy and their staff for their work on this bill, as well as my Office of City Legislative Affairs and the Law Department.  I would also like to thank the City Council for approving this legislation.”







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser/Evelyn Erskine   (212) 788-2958



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