Socialist NYC mayoral wannabe Zohran Mamdanihas a long track record of burning New Yorkers as a state legislator by pushing an anti-firefighting agenda, smoke eaters and other critics told The Post. The Queens assemblyman— who is polling second behind ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a crowded race to become the Democratic mayoral nominee — has shown a complete lack of respect for firefighters and other first-responders since taking office in 2021, according to Nicholas Spinelli, chief of the West Hamilton Beach Fire Department in Queens. It's shocking thatthe Queens assemblymanhas repeatedly refused to sign off anannual, non-controversial resolution simply commemorating May 4 as "Volunteer Firefighters Day," Spinelli said. And bringing his lefty policies to City Hall wouldlikely cause already-surging emergency response timesto rise even more, he warned. "It seems like he has a complete disregard for public safety," said Spinelli. Mamdani was also one of the few Assembly Democrats tovote against a billeventually signed into law creating a task force to help with recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters in New York. In 2023, he also voted against providing$25 million to volunteer fire departmentsstatewide for new equipment and facilities and another $10 million to provide stipends to volunteer firefighters for offset training costs. The pots of cash were delivered anyway through the state budget. The city is home to eight other volunteer fire departments, including 123-year-old Richmond Engine Co. 1 on Staten Island and others in Broad Channel, Queens, and Gerritsen Beach in Brooklyn. Spinelli and other critics are also peeved with Mamdani for appearing in a2021 satirical videowith Sen. Jamari Brisport (D-Brooklyn) pushing socialized healthcare statewide. NYC socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani under fire for 'disrespecting' firefighters NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani doubles down on BDS support — won't say Israel has right to exist as Jewish state Zohran Mamdani trashed Barack Obama as 'pretty damn evil' in resurfaced, pro-Edward Snowden tweets NYC mayoral candidates band together to de-throne frontrunner Cuomo: 'We are all running … to defeat Andrew Cuomo' NYC mayoral candidate leads 'BDS' chant, bashes officials for traveling to Israel in resurfaced clip In the segment, both socialist lawmakers donned FDNY uniforms and pretended to be lazy firefighters who wouldn't put out a nearby blaze because they didn't have the right paperwork – a shot taken at insurers who refuse to honor legitimate healthcare claims. "Assemblyman Mamdani has real lack of respect for our firefighters, and that's simply unacceptable," said Council Minority Leader Joann Ariola (R-Queens). "The fact that a politician would make videos mocking our first responders and vote against legislation to help them is truly troubling, especially for a mayoral candidate." Mamdani has previously come under fire for refusing to sign off on two other resolutions this year besides the measure supporting volunteer firefighters, including one denouncing the Holocaust and another celebrating Israel's 77th anniversary. "Zohran is deeply grateful to the men and women of the FDNY for their exemplary public service — rushing towards danger when others flee and saving countless lives," said a Mamdani campaign spokesperson. "He is running to make New York City safer and more affordable for them, their families and communities." The campaign, however, didn't address the criticism about the pol's lack of support for volunteer firefighters.
