Dear Mr Mirkin,

I have been a loyal servant to the city of Stamford for more than 22 years. I have never been more offended by a politician’s statement than I find myself today.

In (Thursday’s) Advocate, City Rep. Scott Mirkin makes the statement that: “Charges and assertions, real and perceived, are being lobbed the way Hamas lobs rockets into Israel.”

For the record Mr. Mirkin, Hamas are TERRORISTS. We are your STAMFORD FIREFIGHTERS who simply want a fair and unbiased evaluation of the mayor’s plan. We believe that the facts concerning the existing system are being ignored for political reasons. Providing passionate opposition to the mayor’s plan should hardly earn us the title of being terrorists.

Let me tell you a little about myself …

This so-called terrorist has written several letters to you and all Board of Representative members in support of the One-City, One-Chief and One-Fire Department viewpoint.

But this so-called terrorist has also:

• Become a certified fire officer, EMS instructor, fire service instructor, public education officer, all on his own time.
• Successfully resuscitated many Stamford residents from cardiac arrest.
• Carried a nine-year-old boy down three flights of stairs, through heavy smoke with a raging fire below him.
• Been named the Employee of the Month by the city of Stamford for contributions to the city.
• Been named EMS Provider of the Year by Stamford Hospital.
• Educated thousands of Stamford’s children about fire safety.
• Taught hundreds of Stamford’s citizens CPR.

Maybe now you can see how your statement has been deeply hurtful and divisive.

And I am not much different than any other Stamford firefighter who supports the One-Department viewpoint. We continue to come to work, save lives, spend holidays away from our families, risk our own lives and provide the best service possible to the citizens of Stamford. All this, even when we feel the mayor has abandoned those who have a long and dedicated history of working with the city on issues of public safety.

As chairman of the Public Safety Committee, I don’t see how someone with a viewpoint such as yours can conduct a fair and impartial evaluation of the mayor’s Fire Service Plan. It sounds to me like you have already made up your mind.

At the very minimum, you owe every Stamford firefighter a heart-felt apology for your incredibly insensitive comments.

Philip L. Hayes
Captain, Stamford Fire And Rescue

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