A hero FDNY firefighter dismissed after testing positive for cocaine has won his job back — after arguing that Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro gave a similar break to his predecessor’s son.
Glen Merkitch, 47, who has won bravery awards for his rescues, failed a random test in 2011, violating the FDNY’s “zero tolerance” policy. He resigned in 2013 rather than face charges.
A year later, he pleaded to return, saying his “isolated” cocaine use occurred after a visit from the son of a close firefighter friend killed on 9/11. He said the visit took a “heavy emotional toll.”
When Nigro refused, Merkitch filed a lawsuit in Brooklyn Supreme Court, noting that Nigro re-hired Joseph Cassano, son of former commissioner Sal Cassano. The young Cassano, an EMT, had resigned after his barrage of racist tweets was exposed by The Post.