FDNY company want 'cowardly' rookie sacked 'for running away from the scene of fires', report claims

  • Michael D Johnson was hired to work for FDNY Engine Co 257 in Canarsie, Brooklyn last year
  • The New York Post reports that Johnson has found excuses not to enter burning buildings
  • They allegedly believe Johnson hasn't been fired because he was hired under a program to increase minorities in the force  
  • FDNY rookies are on probation for their first year, and can be fired at the end; Johnson's one-year anniversary is in two weeks  
By ASHLEY COLLMAN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 12:45 EST, 17 May 2015 | UPDATED: 16:08 EST, 17 May 2015
A rookie New York firefighter has been nicknamed 'Tragic Johnson' for his cowardly behavior on the job, claims the New York Post.
Sources from FDNY Engine Co 257 in Canarsie, Brooklyn told the New York Post that Michael D Johnson had routinely gone missing at the scene of fires, finding excuses to stand on the sidelines while the rest of the ladder risk their lives inside burning buildings. 
Though officials in the company have complained about Johnson, they say department brass has so far refused to fire Johnson, who is African American, because he was hired under a program to promote minorities in the FDNY.
Not cut out: Sources told the New York post that firefighter Michael D Johnson has been fleeing the scenes of fires on his past year on the job
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Not cut out: Sources told the New York post that firefighter Michael D Johnson has been fleeing the scenes of fires on his past year on the job
Not cut out: Sources told the New York post that firefighter Michael D Johnson has been fleeing the scenes of fires on his past year on the job 
'The department seems to not want to give a f*** about any of this because they want to fill their quota,' a source told the Post. 
Johnson previously worked as a city EMT, and earned two medals for his work as a paramedic. 
He made his transition to firefighting when he was identified as one of 282 'priority hires' - men and women who had been passed over when they applied in 1999 or 200 due to discrimination. 
He graduated from the academy in June 2, 2014 in the most diverse class in FDNY history, and last year was then assigned to company 257. 
Early on, fellow firefighters claimed Johnson hedging when they would respond to a call and it appears the work left Johnson rattled, the sources claim.
After battling a fire last July 4th weekend, Johnson allegedly took several months of medical leave. 
Most recently, on April 2, a picture obtained by the post appears to show Johnson standing on the curb while the rest of his fellow firefighters file into the three alarm fire.
It was on that day that Johnson's captain called 'mayday' over the radio - the typical response to when a firefighter is AWOL. 
Sources believe Johnson hasn't been fired because he was hired under a program to promote minorities in the FDNY. Above, a stock image of an FDNY badge 
Sources believe Johnson hasn't been fired because he was hired under a program to promote minorities in the FDNY. Above, a stock image of an FDNY badge 
While his captain was certain that Johnson was OK, he made the call allegedly to make sure that his disappearance from the scene was documented. 
Johnson later said that he went back to the truck to get his oxygen tank refilled, but sources say that he shouldn't have been low on air to begin with. 
'To have a guy that you know to be afraid is not going to be there for you when you need him to be - it’s frightening,' one FDNY source told the Post. 
After the April 2 fire, Johnson's chief allegedly wrote a letter about him to the Brooklyn division, and Johnson was ordered back to retraining. 
After the week-long course, Johnson said he didn't want to return to the firehouse, but he was ordered to anyway by the department, leaving his fellow firefighters gobsmacked.  
'He’s a nice enough person, but he’s certainly lacking in the ability to put himself in harm’s way,' one source said.
Each rookie firefighter is under probation for their first year on the job, and can be fired at the end of the year if they do not perform. Johnson's one-year anniversary on the job is in two weeks.   
 

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This is what happens when you hire unqualified people to do a job. And a firefighter yet! Mark my word, if he is (rightfully) fired, he will sue. Welcome to America. 
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If you don't want to run into a burning building, that's fine but don't be a firefighter. Hint the name "firefighter." I don't want to come down to hard on him because he's an EMT, who are also heroes. 
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If you do not perform the job and take money for that job you are stealing from your employer. This goes all the slackers including the extra long personal lunches on company time to the 2 hours of texting, Facebook and youtube during the work day. Integrity-it does a body good .
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Come on man!
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He should be fired in this business you can't have someone you can't trust.
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So he isn't cut out to be a fire fighter. Not everyone is. Make him an EMT again. 
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I've been binging on "Rescue Me." This would've been a great storyline.
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He is on probation for the first year and he has already taken several months leave? Sounds to me like he does not want to be a firefighter.
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I don't want to see a person loose his job. He should go back to being a EMT where he seemed to do well. 
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No comment. 
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Sorry dude but this ain't no place if you can't stand the heat. Get out while you can and maybe saved a firefighter's life.
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