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The Mayor and City Council reached a budget agreement on June 29th, which restored funding for all 20 companies that were slated to be closed. The UFA rallied support around the City with a PR campaign that informed the public about the dangers of closing companies. The UFA personally lobbied all our key elected officials and received overwhelming support from the City Council to keep the firehouses open.
Keeping the firehouses open is a major victory for public safety, but our fight is far from over. We are certain we will have to deal with this issue again for next year's budget, if not sooner. The State budget is still not finalized, and the Bloomberg administration has hinted that it may request additional cuts from the FD later this year.
We would like to thank City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (Chair of the Fire & Criminal Justice Services Committee) and all City Council members who supported our efforts to keep the Bloomberg administration from closing firehouses.
Each member of the UFA Executive Board would like to thank all members who turned out for rallies and press conferences in support of keeping our firehouses open. Your efforts were a significant contribution to achieving our victory.
Fraternally,
Stephen J. Cassidy
President
Joseph A. Miccio
Recording Secretary
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