NY Fire Commisioner’s Son Quits After Anti-Semitic Posts

Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano called the situation with his 23-year-old son Joseph “very painful.” He said Monday he loves his son and believes his resignation was the right decision. The commissioner says the department has worked hard to achieve diversity, inclusiveness and a good reputation.

Cassano junior, who reportedly got his EMT position to fast track his application to become a full-fledged firefighter, released a slew of messages online targeting Jews, blacks, women and the poor, the New York Post reported.

“I like Jews about as much as Hitler #toofar? NOPE,” Cassano wrote.

Before last November’s election, Cassano said he would “move to Scotland” if Obama were re-elected.

“Getting sick of picking up all these Obama lovers and taking them to the hospital because their Medicare pays for an ambulance and not a cab,” Cassano wrote on Feb. 3.

He also complained about his lifesaving employment as “the worst.”

“Got kicked in the shin by a drunk and had to carry a 275 pound guy down 5 flights of stairs … my job is the worst #yearandahalftogo,” he wrote.

The young Cassano said he only agreed to become an EMT in order to join the FDNY.

“I hate EMS,” he posted.

The Post revealed the posts in an article Monday. Cassano apologized and announced his resignation.

“I regret posting some comments that were offensive,” he said, “especially since I enjoy my job and treat every patient with great care and respect.”

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he was among those who found the messages offensive.

“It is my understanding that he has chosen to resign from the Fire Department and I think that’s the appropriate thing, and I’ll leave it there,” the mayor said.

This article appeared in print on page 4 of the March 19th, 2013 edition of Hamodia.