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Letters to the Editor: UFOA Off Base on 9/11 Tapes

Letters to the Editor
UFOA Off Base on 9/11 Tapes

To the Editor:

The letter from Uniformed Fire Officers' Association Treasurer Jack McDonnell ("FDNY Tapes Fiasco," April 28 issue) draws unjust conclusions based on factually incorrect information.

After being ordered by a court to turn over all Sept. 11, 2001, fire alarm and EMS dispatch tapes, the department directed appropriate managers and staff in our Bureau of Communications to prepare the tapes. This bureau reports directly to a uniformed chief officer. Several high-ranking civilian and uniformed managers were assured this was being done properly. Not until after the city released the recordings did it become clear that was not the case.

This had nothing to do with uniformed versus non-uniformed employees. It had nothing to do with former Administration for Children Services (ACS) employees. No former ACS employee (there are only six among 15,000 FDNY employees) was directly involved in this endeavor.

If some people charged with this task didn't do their job, the department will hold them accountable. But first, it is important that we comply fully with the court order. That is now being done.

FRANK GRIBBON, Deputy Commissioner FDNY