FDNY reassigns trainers amid ‘witch hunt’ for whistleblowers
Two veteran FDNY fitness trainers have been yanked from the Fire Academy as the department conducts what some call a “witch hunt” for whistleblowers and those trying to uphold standards, The Post has learned.
Lts. Michael Cacciola and Peter Critsimilios — a duo who ensured the strength and agility of more than 8,500 Bravest in the past 14 years — were removed from Randall’s Island on Monday and sent to the ceremonial unit, which conducts funerals and other official events.
Their reassignment sent shock waves through the department.
“I know of no reason why,” said Jake Lemonda, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association. “They are two highly experienced and dedicated members who have served the department well.”
Their transfers come as the department has watered down its fitness criteria and standards.
Last month, The Post reported that probationary Firefighter Rebecca Wax, 33, graduated from the academy despite failing the crucial Functional Skills Test, an obstacle course of job-related tasks (inset). Under new criteria, her high academic grades made up for her physical deficiency.
Cacciola, 55, and Critsimilios, 57, rigorously upheld fitness standards, sources say.
Outraged by their ouster, several firefighters who work overtime as mentors to recruits have quit in protest.
“They’re so pissed off at what’s going on, they all resigned,” a source said.
Some contend that Chief of Department James Leonard, appointed last October, harbored a grudge because the trainers once failed his probie son on a fitness test, requiring more training. A spokesman said the son “had nothing to do with it.”
Sarinya Srisakul, president of United Women Firefighters, lauded the transfers — and the department for “taking the right steps” to deter media leaks, she told The Chief-Leader newspaper.
Cacciola will be replaced by Lt. Thomas Tanzosh, the son of Staten Island Deputy Chief William Tanzosh, a spokesman said.
Officials would not explain the moves.
In a statement to The Post, Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said: “I have made changes throughout the department and will continue to do so where I believe we can improve our performance. I believe we do a great job training new firefighters — and going forward we will do even better, while maintaining the high standards we have set.”
But plugging news leaks is also paramount to Nigro. He had issued an internal statement vowing “to do all we can to identify those responsible” for press leaks.
“Behind some misguided sense of ‘protecting the standards,’ their public criticism of members is an embarrassment to me and should be to all of you,” Nigro said.
The lecture offended many firefighters.
“There is a witch hunt against any and all members who exercise their first amendment right in letting the public know they are in danger,” one posted online.
The FDNY confiscates cellphones and subpoenas employee phone records to hunt for those who speak to reporters. One hunt for leakers began after The Post wrote about Wendy Tapia, a probie allowed to graduate from the academy in November 2013 despite failing a required running test.
Larry Seary, president of the New York Press Club, blasted the tactics as “suppression and intimidation.”
“It sends a chilling message to public employees: Don’t rock the boat and don’t expose anything,” he said.
Cacciola and Critsimilios will file grievances to challenge their transfers, sources said. Both were instructed not to speak to the press.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MOST POPULAR THIS WEEK
Chilling photo captures woman’s…
How a massive, silent cultural r…
Upper East Side housewife’s tell-all bo…
How two men destroyed one of N…
FIFA admits that Russia and Qatar might los…
How I learned my dad worked with ‘The…
