In July I posted a story about an FDNY recruit who received a third chance to pass the training academy after collecting top firefighter pay for a year in desk jobs.
The woman, Choeurlyne Doirin-Holder (39) failed midway through a Fire Academy class in 2013, and returned to her former job as an EMT. After entering another class in early 2014, she dropped out because of an injury. But the FDNY kept Doirin-Holder on payroll.
She made $81,376 (including overtime) last year, about $26,000 more than the $55,144 she made as an EMT in 2013. The FDNY did not assign Doirin-Holder to two subsequent academy classes. She worked desk jobs first at headquarters, then on Randalls Island.
Doirin-Holder/NY Post Photo
Guess what has happened to Doirin-Holder again? Despite Doirin-Holder being allowed to graduate from the FDNY training academy with failing physical fitness tests, she is now on medical leave after less than two weeks on the job. She broke her foot during a routine equipment check after just ten days in her position.
The NY Post reports this is what happened to cause her injury:
“Getting off the truck, Doirin-Holder missed a step and landed on her left foot, suffering a fracture, sources said. It was her second shift after a transfer from another engine. In training for a hazmat assignment, officers found her struggling to perform the required tasks. Firefighters called the tripping incident embarrassing — and alarming. ‘If you’re going to get hurt in the firehouse checking a rig, what would happen at a fire?’ an insider asked.”
The Post goes on:
“Doirin-Holder’s competence was questioned by sources familiar with her training. They said academy instructors let her pass the Functional Skills Test, a rigorous obstacle course of job-related tasks, even though she had failed to complete it in the required 17 minutes and 50 seconds or under. In addition, when she failed to finish a 1.5-mile run in 12 minutes or less — even after the course was shortened — she was allowed to demonstrate aerobic capacity on a StairMaster machine under watered-down requirements enacted by FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro. Doirin-Holder is one of 282 “priority hires” passed over in 1999 and 2000. Federal Judge Nicholas Garaufis ordered they must get preference as victims of past discrimination against minorities.”
Isn’t personal achievement affirmative action great?
DCG
