Blaming a still-sluggish economy, Mayor Bloomberg has now set his cost-cutting sights on the FDNY. Last week he published a list of 20 “endangered” firehouses, eight of which are in Brooklyn, including our own Engine 205; Engine 205 was the first engine company from Brooklyn that reached Ground Zero on 9/11, and sadly lost eight of its men.
Though Engine 205 is in danger of closing, Ladder 118 will remain at the Middagh St. location. If you’re not sure what that means, read the comments section here for an explanation courtesy of our own weegee.
Video of the rally after the jump.
Population explosion—especially in DUMBO— and the danger a lack of manpower would pose to both residents and firefighters were just a couple of concerns cited by those who spoke, including State Sen. Daniel Squadron, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, City Councilman Steve Levin, Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio and Borough President Marty Markowitz.
In the video you’ll hear Edward Bowles and John Kelly of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, Jane McGroarty of the Brooklyn Heights Association, and Steve Buscemi, former firefighter from Engine 55.
Though there were concerns that a 1 p.m. start would mean poor attendance, residents of all ages—including young protesters from P.S. 8, who showed up with posters and chutzpah—joined firefighters from across the city who rallied for the cause. At the end of the clip, a self-described “camera-shy” Buscemi told me he was going to a rally for Engine 220 this evening in Park Slope.
