WASHINGTON — Patrick Montague, a Kentucky native with 26 years of firefighting experience, was let go by the federal government on Saturday. Montague had been investigating firefighter deaths for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program, where his skills and expertise were highly valued. Despite receiving commendations for his work, he was abruptly fired along with thousands of other Department of Health and Human Services employees by the Trump administration.
The program, established by Congress to reduce the risk of firefighters dying in the line of duty, saw three out of five employees terminated in a similar fashion. The administration’s move, part of an effort to cut federal programs and reduce the workforce, has raised concerns about the impact on first-responder safety.
Montague, who resides in metropolitan Louisville, dismissed claims that he was part of a “deep state” agenda, emphasizing his dedication to firefighter safety. While acknowledging the need for streamlining government waste, he questioned the method of mass firings as a solution.
The consequences of such workforce reductions could jeopardize the ability of agencies like the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program to carry out their vital missions. Former battalion chief Louis Lago expressed worries about the program’s future and its impact on firefighter safety, citing personal experiences where the program’s reports had been instrumental in improving safety measures.
With only two investigators left in the program, concerns have been raised about its long-term sustainability. The American Federation of Government Emplo… (text truncated)
Yeas, Local 3840 in Cincinnati. “They are simply wielding a hatchet without considering the consequences for those impacted,” remarked one member.
Edward Kelly, the general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, emphasized the importance of programs like the Firefighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program as crucial investments in public safety. He highlighted how insights gleaned from investigating line-of-duty deaths can prevent future tragedies and ultimately save lives across America. Kelly expressed confidence in the Trump administration’s commitment to prioritizing these vital programs, recognizing the direct link between the safety of firefighters and the protection of the communities they serve.
The recent layoffs within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health not only affected the death program for firefighters but also impacted the team responsible for maintaining the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer. This registry, established through bipartisan legislation signed by President Trump in 2018, aims to track and combat cancer-related deaths among firefighters through voluntarily provided information. The sudden dismissals of these dedicated federal workers have raised concerns among union officials and fire safety advocates.
President Trump has previously expressed his admiration for first responders, even leading a moment of silence for a fallen firefighter at a public event. However, the recent terminations have caused confusion and disappointment, with many questioning the inconsistency between the President’s public statements and the actions taken by his administration. Workers like Lago, who received a termination notice citing inadequate performance despite having received positive reviews, feel betrayed and puzzled by the discrepancies in the official documentation.
Reflecting on the situation, Lago expressed his dismay at the apparent misrepresentation of his work ethic and performance in the termination notice. The disconnect between the accolades given to first responders by President Trump and the reality of layoffs within critical firefighting programs has left many in the firefighting community disillusioned and concerned about the future of public safety initiatives.
