South Farmingdale Fire Chief Receives Suspension

South Farmingdale Fire Chief James Martin recently received a 30 day suspension for allowing a terminally ill member of the South Farmingdale Fire Department to drive a fire apparatus during the Memorial Day Parade, a source told Patch.

Martin’s suspension began Monday, June 1.

The terminally ill member of the fire department had to recently reduce his involvement with the department due to being treated for cancer.

It was possible that this year’s parade could have been his last, the source reveals.

South Farmingdale Fire Commissioner Tom Mastakouris told Patch that Martin was suspended “for failure to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the public and members of the department.”

“We felt that this was an offense that really should be held accountable,” he said.

The member of the department, who was on cancer medication at the time, should not have been allowed to drive the fire apparatus due to the SFFD’s precautionary measures.

Mastakouris said it was ”a lack of judgement” on Martin’s part and he had to be held accountable. “He’s not a bad guy,” told Patch. “He’s a great chief.”

Editor’s Note: This article was updated to remove the terminally ill member’s name at the family’s request. The article also now includes more information after speaking with South Farmingdale Fire Commissioner Tom Mastakouris at of 4:20 p.m. Friday.

Image via South Farmingdale Fire Department website.