Preserving public safety is the government’s number one responsibility and it should remain our first priority, even in times of economic constraint.

New York City is, however, about to lose 20 fire companies due to budget cuts. This decision will increase the response time of our firefighters and make our neighborhoods less safe.

Since we do not yet know which fire companies are being targeted, firehouses in your community may be at risk. This means that your community may be less safe after a budget is approved.

These cuts are unacceptable. In the first quarter of this year alone our firefighters responded to over 12,000 emergencies. Emergencies don’t care about budget cuts.

The city will approve a new budget before June 30. I urge you to sign on to the on-line petition calling on the mayor to reverse proposed cuts to the FDNY at www.advocate.nyc.gov/petition-fire-houses.

With your help, we can preserve public safety across the city while we have the chance.

[The writer is Public Advocate for the City of New York.]

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