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The mayor said Friday it is too early to know whether budget problems will force firefighters will need to be laid off, in addition to make 20 city firehouses close.
Of the 20 New York City Fire Department companies Bloomberg proposed eliminating, 16 were targeted for closure last year, but then spared when the City Council managed to restore funding for the fiscal year.
The mayor said whether firefighters from the companies will be kept, eliminated through attrition or laid off depends on budget shortfalls and funding from Albany.
"Last time we closed firehouses. We did not have to lay off any firefighters, and that would certainly be our intent if we have to close some more firehouses," said the mayor. "But we're going to have to make some tough budget choices and we can only afford so much. You probably would not need layoffs, but its too early to tell."
If state budget cuts to the FDNY proposed by Governor David Paterson take effect, the city will be forced to close another 42 companies and lay off more than 1,000 firefighters.
Firehouse closures could take effect on July 1.
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