FDNY Party Bus Terrorizes Lower East Side

In what may be the least shocking news item of the day, a group of drunk off-duty firefighters got a little rowdy and hit on women yesterday afternoon. But at least one NYC resident refused to accept the status quo and complained to the department after witnessing the debauchery. Rebeca Izquierdo, a former inspector with the Civilian Complaint Review Board, says a party bus "blasting hip-hop and reggaeton" pulled up at Allen and Stanton streets around 2 p.m. and released 30 firefighters, who had come from the department's annual Medal Day ceremony. She tells the Post, "They were all in uniform with open containers and they were soliciting young girls to get on the bus." When she called the FDNY to complain about their behavior, she says one firefighter told her, "It's Medal Day, there's nothing I can do." And the owner of a nearby deli reports, "They bought 20 six packs of Coors Light and Bud Light. They were drunk already." But come on, it's Medal Day, and that's only four beers each! Nevertheless, an FDNY spokesman promised to look into the matter.

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By John Del Signore in News on June 4, 2009 11:12 AM

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los angeles party bus

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BrooklynBredTom

Reflect, that was an ignorant comment.

But I for one don't see the problem here. God forbid these guys had some fun.

I am from a small neighborhood that has a large percentage of firefighters, including one of Brooklyn's only volunteer fire dept's. Yesterday, I ran into a good friend who was in uniform, coming back from SI after attending a ceremony in which someone from his ladder had a park named after them because they were killed in the line of duty.

I'm not one of those proud, man's man type of guys, believe you me, but complaining about guys who day in and day out risk their lives having a good time for a day, come on. It's as pathetic as complaining about an ice cream truck.

just saying

"God forbid these guys had some fun."

No one is trying to ruin their "fun." Most people draw the line when a bunch of drunks also began trying to talk young women into getting on their party bus.

Reflect

But I tawt fiewr fightin was about helpin pweple in dere time of nee?

I call bullshit. My father did it. So im gonna follow in machismo footsteps.

lord knows Im not compassionate be a caregiver or wash some ones clothes for

a living or be a gardener no no no. Its all about the EGO folks. Till someone dies

of smoke inhalation under the guise of heroism and self sacwafice.

Wheres ma overtime pay? Me wants more moneys! Opps I died today.

Servant

CCRB reject and the NY Post. perfect together.

positivementalattitude

First, goyogago, in response to your asinine comment about firefighters not living in the city. How sophisticated is it to lump more than 10,000 people into a group based solely on what you read in the news and what I'm sure is limited face to face interaction? And since when does living in the city equate to being more sophisticated than others? I see from your website that you yourself lived in Albany and Maine at different points, were you a lesser person during those periods?

Second, to Gregoryabutler, where does it say that the bus was full of white males? I counted at at least 10 non-male white winners of medals at Wednesday's ceremony. Now, since everyone else is making absurd assumptions about this incident, does it seem likely that a group of thirty white guys was riding around in a bus blasting hip hop and reggaeton? Also, EMT's, who definitely are not firefighters, now wear an almost identical uniform and were honored at the ceremony as well. Couldn't it have been one of them?

Now, I agree that these guys certainly weren't right - or at all tactful. But does it really warrant a story, or all these speculative and imaginative responses?

pmc52670

Yes, EMT's were present at the ceremony. However one our honorees was a man who passed away under tragic circumstances shortly after the act for which he was honored. His family was present accepting the medal for him, and I think any EMS members who were there were conscious of not doing anything which may besmirch his memory, and bring discredit to us or his family.

GREGORYABUTLER

So, it's OK for drunken White male city workers to cruise the city on an alcoholic bender, harassing women and generally acting like assholes?

Imagine if it was a group of BLACK or LATINO city workers - would you folks feel the same way, or would you be ranting and raving about "minority criminals"?

These drunken goons should all get a 30 day unpaid suspension - mandatory 28 day alcohol rehab (paid for out of THEIR pocket, not the City's or the Uniformed Firefighter's Association's) and a mandatory 8 hour sexual harassment class (again, paid for out of pocket, not by the City or the UFA)

wobbleSmith

funny, i missed the ethno-roster of the bus. where did you read that? can you share it with the class?

i think you're assuming that black and latino guys don't want to be firefighters. poor form!

Servant

italiangourmetslop, where does it say they were "abusing" women? The artical if you could call it that says they were "hitting" on women. Is that the same thing? Do you have a problem with firemen? Why would you make that up? Seems someone has an agenda of their own.

Servant

A non-story on a slow news day. no laws were broken. The only reason we even know about this is cuz they are fire fighters and the Post HATES fire fighters. God bless them and the FDNY.

theitaliangourmetshop.com

Celebrating does not condone abusing women in the street, or being rowdy and drunk in the streets. This is not becoming of Firemen in uniform, or out of uniform. We need more women like Rebeca, caring, responsible and well educated. "Jerky" mentioned Wellesley, Thank you Jerky. By the way Jerky's comments are to be expected from someone who chooses to identify himself with such a name. I have the feeling Jerky was part of the group in that bus. Way to go Rebeca!!! You deserve a medal.

Kojak

What angers me is that none of these women' gave it up to our Heroic firefighters when asked. Our city's bravest deserve at LEAST that.

Its as if they were TOO GOOD for them or something. How dare they.