The unions representing cops, firefighters and EMS officers are urging Mayor Bill de Blasio to make them a higher priority for access to coronavirus testing given their front-line duties interacting with the public amid the pandemic.
Ninety-eight NYPD officers and other employees and 17 Fire Department/Emergency Medical Service personnel have tested positive for COVID-19.
The leaders of the unions endorsed a letter sent to City Hall sent by Rep. Max Rose (D-Staten Island-Brooklyn) about the need to expand testing first responders.
The letter was co-signed by James LeMonda, president of the United Firefighters Officers Association, Gerard Fitzgerald, head of the United Firefighters Association, Paul DiGiacomo of the Detectives Endowment Association, Louis Turco of the Lieutenants Benevolent Association, Edward Mullins of the Sergeants Benevolent Association and Vincent Variale of the Uniformed Emergency Medical Services Officers Union.