To those of you that know me, you probably know that I have the ambition, desire, and qualifications to be a career firefighter. For those that don't know me: my name is Dan Simmons, and I am a recent graduate with an Associates in Applied Science degree from Onondaga Community College, majoring in Fire Protection Technology. I am also a past volunteer firefighter. My father is a Syracuse Firefighter as well as a major influence in my life. I am starting this petition because: I believe I was wrongfully disqualified for employment... I recently went through the hiring process with the Syracuse Fire Department, and was given an conditional job offer dependent on the medical exam. I was previously diagnosed with A.D.D. (attention deficit disorder) by an M.D. then shortly after that I lost health care coverage. To make sure I was properly medicated, the doctor's office gave me a plentiful supply of free samples. As a result, I was not given regular medical check-ups that were physically documented. Symptoms of A.D.D. are "anger, irritability, and compulsiveness." To get to the point; the fire department's doctor was very unreasonable with me when he realized I had been getting free samples from my doctor's office. He then sent me for a psychological screening to get a more recent and updated diagnosis, saying "it was in HIS best interest." I had to pay for this visit out of my own pocket; cash. Lot's of cash. The municipality used this screening/evaluation solely on me and only me; out of over twenty candidates. This evaluation posed invasive questions into my privacy that had nothing to do with firefighter qualifications. No diagnosis was made on basis of the evaluation, and the psychologist verbally told my doctor's office that "if I indeed had A.D.D., it is controlled and I’m doing well/compliant with medication." Seeing that no diagnosis was made in the evaluation, where does the department's doctor (not a psych.) have the right to disqualify me because of A.D.D. Or, was it anger; or, maybe lack of medical care; I've heard multiple reasons why I was disqualified. A.D.D. is recognized by the A.D.A. (American's with Disabilities Act), but the excuse by the City's A.D.A. Coordinator was: "the City is within its legal perimeters because you weren't regularly seen by a medical doctor over a certain period of time." So are they saying that after a certain period of time my A.D.D. ‘EXPIRES’ If that's the case then they have no right to disqualify me. Right How does that have any effect of me performing the essential duties of the job In my past, I was, by far, not a perfect person, and I am not trying to use this diagnosis as a 'crutch' against the system. I just believe I was wronged by the department's doctor and he should reconsider his decision. What I am trying to get out of this petition is to open the eyes of the Department to realize they are passing up on a great potential firefighter. This has been a dream (almost come true) EMAIL WILL NOT BE PUBLICLY VIEWED.

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