NEW LONDON, Conn. — The first black firefighter hired by New London, Conn., since 1978 will finally get the chance Monday to work for the department that fired him three days before his state fire academy graduation.
State NAACP President Scot X. Esdaile told The Day that the city was fixing a poor decision it had made by offering Firefighter Alfred Mayo his job back.
“This could have been dealt with in a more efficient and professional manner,” Esdaile said.
“It’s not a black or white issue, it’s a right or wrong issue.”
New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio said that the December firing was not personal and Firefighter Mayo’s reinstatement was unconditional, despite the city’s budget crisis.
Mayor Finizio told The Day that the state fire academy instructor repeatedly told New London Fire Chief Ronald Samul that Firefighter Mayo had a bad attitude and was not performing well, but that information was “tainted.”
A recent report on the academy cites multiple procedural failures, inappropriate communications and possibly false allegations of recruit misconduct.
“We need able firefighters, and he’ll have a fair chance just like every other person that walks in the door,” said Rocco Basilica, fire department union president. “What’s important to me is that they’re filling the vacant spots. Staffing is our most important thing, it protects the public and the firefighters. The more staffing we have, the safer we are.”