Chief Leader - April 27, 2010

Cite Damage in Brooklyn

Engine Company 271, which serves neighborhoods in both Brooklyn and Queens, was one of the four companies closed at night last year to reduce operational costs and is now targeted for closing. Last March, a 3-alarm blaze gutted homes and businesses while the unit was out of commission.

Made a Big Difference

"If '271' had been in operation that night, the response time would have been cut in half and many of those families might still have their homes and businesses," said Elizabeth Crowley, the chair of the City Council's Fire and Criminal Justice Services Committee.

The company is slated for closing again this year. The Mayor's budget would shutter 20 companies at minimum, and up to 60 along with laying off 1,500 firefighters if the state adopts Governor Paterson's proposed budget.

"Closing firehouses, especially at the levels proposed by the Mayor, would make it virtually impossible to provide protection at the level New Yorkers expect," said Uniformed Firefighters Association President Steve Cassidy. "New Yorkers on both sides of the Brooklyn/Queens border are entitled to the best fire and emergency medical protection for their families and their property."

Last month, union officers rallied with elected officials outside Ladder Company 53 on City Island in The Bronx. They also held a rally outside Engine Co. 4 in lower Manhattan April 21. Both companies were also temporarily shuttered at night last year and set to be closed permanently.

Mr. Cassidy continued, "We are here today to tell residents that in order to keep the emergency protection they have, they must join in the fight to keep their local firehouse open. Firehouse closures will mean a dramatic increase in the time it takes to get a fire truck or an ambulance to an emergency and as a result, civilians and firefighters will die."