Retired members · families · association news

Spring 2026 Newsletter

News, benefits, memorials, meetings, and retiree resources from the FDNY Staten Island Retirees Association.

Issue focusWTC health, association business, retiree resources.

AssociationMeetings, events, benefits, and member updates.

President’s Message image with FDNY Retirees mug, folded American flag, and Woody signature

From the President

Information for our members.

Brothers and Sisters,

As we move into the spring issue, I want to thank every member who continues to support this association and stay connected with one another. The strength of this group has always been more than meetings and dues — it is the friendships, shared service, and concern our members continue to show for each other.

We also want to keep everyone informed about the important association dates coming up. Our next meeting is Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and the Retirees Picnic will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 12:00 PM at the Gold Star Post in Travis. Picnic checks should be made payable to FDNY Retirees and mailed to Joe Rehak, 44 Roswell Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314.

If you know someone who may want to join our group, please encourage them to fill out a membership application and become part of the Staten Island Retirees Association.

Stay safe, and thank you for continuing to support the organization.

Walter “Woody” Wall · President
FDNY Staten Island Retirees Association

Main feature

WTC Health Program: Funding Secured, Staffing Restored, Fight Continues.

The World Trade Center Health Program remains one of the most important lifelines for 9/11 responders, survivors, and families.

Several recent reports point to the same truth: progress has been made, but the program still requires attention, staffing, funding, and advocacy.

Earlier this year, long-term funding for the WTC Health Program was secured through 2040. The funding package helps avoid a fiscal cliff that could have forced cuts in 2027 and provides additional support for a program now serving more than 150,000 enrolled responders and survivors.

The program covers those who responded to the attacks, worked on the cleanup at Ground Zero, and lived or worked in the surrounding area in the months that followed. More than 52,000 enrolled members have been diagnosed with at least one certified cancer connected to 9/11 exposure.

That funding victory was followed by another important development: HHS reversed staffing reductions at the program after New York lawmakers and advocates raised concerns about delays. The World Trade Center Health Program had fallen to roughly 84 staff members, contributing to delays in claims processing, treatment authorizations, enrollment appeals, and research work. The program has now received approval to hire additional employees toward a target of 120 full-time staff.

FDNY Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Prezant also warned that understaffing had slowed enrollment, delayed approval of petitions to add new covered conditions, and interrupted grant funding. Petitions involving cardiovascular, autoimmune, and cognitive conditions remain important areas for responders and families to watch.

For FDNY retirees and families, the takeaway is simple: the WTC Health Program is funded, but it still needs protection, staffing, and follow-through. Members should stay informed, keep records organized, and make sure family members know where to turn if WTC-related health questions arise.

Member updates

Brief updates for members.

A few items of interest for retirees, families, and members following FDNY-related issues.

01 · Records

Why WTC Records Still Matter

A recently reported October 2001 memo raised renewed questions about what New York City officials knew in the weeks after September 11 regarding air quality, toxic exposure, and the risks faced by first responders and survivors returning to Lower Manhattan.

This matters because WTC-related illness is not history for many FDNY families. It remains a daily health, benefits, and survivor issue.

03 · Never Forget

Keeping 9/11 Memory Alive

As the 25th anniversary of September 11 approaches, Staten Island organizations are working to ensure younger generations understand what happened that day and how deeply it affected our borough, the FDNY, and first responders’ families.

For many Staten Island families, 9/11 is not just history. It is personal. Preserving those stories matters.

02 · Pension

New York City pension funds and housing risk

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine has proposed directing $4 billion of pension assets toward affordable housing development, more than doubling the city’s pension-fund investment in this area. The plan would support office conversions and the preservation of affordable housing.

That means city retirement money would be tied even more closely to local real-estate markets and the strength of the New York City economy. If housing values, office conversions, or rental returns weaken, retirees could feel the pressure through lower diversification and higher long-term risk.

For our members, the broader lesson is simple: pension assets need to be protected carefully. As the Tier 6 debate continues, this kind of investment decision matters because long-term fund stability is exactly what retirees depend on.

From the Treasurer

From the Treasurer’s Desk.

Hi Everyone,

Thank you everyone for paying your dues. We had 9 members who did not renew. That is pretty good. We usually have about 20 that don’t renew.

This is a great organization to belong to. We have a lot of information that goes out to the members. Some people get on the email list but don’t join. If you are here for the ride, how about becoming a member and supporting the cause?

Okay, I’m done ranting. Have a great summer. And don’t forget the picnic in June.

Stay Safe.
Jim DiMeo · Treasurer

Renewals9 members did not renew

Typical yearAbout 20 non-renewals

MembershipEncourage non-members to join

PicnicJune reminder

FDNY Department News

FDNY Marks 30 Years Since EMS Merger.

The FDNY marked the 30th anniversary of the merger with New York City EMS at an event on March 16 at the EMS Academy at Fort Totten. The 1996 merger brought two proud workforces together and helped shape the FDNY into the premier all-hazards response agency it is today.

01 · EMS history

Thirty years since the merger

Over the past three decades, FDNY EMS added stations and divisions, improved protective equipment, and replaced older stretchers with modern mechanical stretchers.

02 · Commissioner

Bonsignore’s forward-looking framing

Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore described the EMS-FDNY partnership as a shared mission built around protecting life, and said the Department would continue to modernize, innovate, and fight for the resources and professional respect every member deserves.

Meetings & events

Upcoming Dates.

19May

Association Meeting

Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Members are encouraged to attend, stay connected, and support the work of the association. Please bring updates, questions, and anything members should know for the summer schedule.

11Jun

Retirees Picnic

12:00 PM · Gold Star Post, Travis · $25 per person. Checks payable to FDNY Retirees and mailed to Joe Rehak, 44 Roswell Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314.

14Jun

SSG Michael Ollis 5K

9:00 AM · New Dorp Lane & South Railroad Avenue · Registration: runsignup.com/ollisrace.

✓Join

Membership Reminder

If you know someone who may want to join, encourage them to fill out a membership application and become part of the association.

In Memoriam

Remembering our members.

We remember the members reported to the association and keep their families in our thoughts.

✦

FF Hans Jerlin

E-155 · Passed February 2, 2025 · Age 94 · Nevada

✦

Lt James Cooney

E-254 · WTC · Passed October 21, 2024

✦

DC John Gialella Jr.

D-8 · Reported to the association

✦

Joseph Baldino

E-156 · Passed March 18, 2026

✦

FF Ron Massari

E-161 · Passed February 3, 2026

✦

FF Dennis H. Brackett

L-79 · Passed December 31, 2025

✦

FF Richard G. Decker

E-163 · Harper, TX · Passed November 12, 2025

May they rest in peace.

Retiree Utility Desk

Useful reminders for retirees and families.

Please verify details directly with the appropriate office before making benefit, pension, legal, or medical decisions.

01 · Medicare

Part B & IRMAA Reimbursement

Retired city employees enrolled in Medicare should watch for Medicare Part B reimbursement and IRMAA reimbursement information.

The 2025 standard Medicare Part B reimbursement amount referenced in retiree material was $185.00 per month x 12 months = $2,220.00.

OLR Retiree Client Service Center: 212-513-0470 · healthbenefits@olr.nyc.gov

02 · Contacts

Important Retiree Contacts

UFA Retiree Liaison: Marty Tighe · 646-839-6577
UFOA Retiree Liaison: Jake Lemonda · 212-376-8400
FDNY Counseling Service Unit: 212-570-1693
BHS WTC Medical Monitoring: 718-999-1858
Fire Pension Fund: 929-436-0099

03 · Family

Survivor and Family Reminder

Families should know who to contact if a retired member passes away. WTC-related illness, pension reclassification, beneficiary forms, death certificates, and survivor benefits can become important issues for families.

This section is a reminder, not legal or benefit advice.

04 · Pension Payroll

Changing Direct Deposit for FD Pension

Members who need to change direct deposit information for their FD pension may contact Denise A. Apostolos at the Fire Pension Fund Pension Payroll/Clerical office and request the required EFT form.

The EFT form must be notarized and mailed back only.
Submit by or before the 23rd of the month for that month’s pension.
Include a voided check with your name printed on it, a direct-deposit setup form, or a bank letter showing the name on the account.
For a savings account, include a bank letter with the FDNY form.

Contact: Denise A. Apostolos · denise.apostolos@nycfirepension.org

Member community

Veterans Breakfast with DA Mike McMahon.

A photo was submitted from the March 19 Veterans Breakfast with District Attorney Mike McMahon and FDNY Staten Island Retirees members.

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