NY Mayor Annouces He Intends To Close 20 Fire Companies

United States (New York) - Mayor Bloomberg has announced that he intends to close 20 FDNY companies effective with the July 1 start of the city's new fiscal year. But the facts are clear: Closing fire companies or reducing manpower threatens the safety of civilians and firefighters alike.

The response to the weekend's terrorist attack in Times Square is a reminder how critically important it is to get firefighters to the scene of an emergency quickly.

In fact, Saturday's terrorist attack was the 11th plot or attempt to attack our city since 9/11. Nor was this, as some speculated, a random attack by a deranged individual - it was another international terrorist plot targeting New Yorkers.

Unlike some, I am certain that New York City remains the No. 1 target for terrorists. Yet the FDNY does not now have the resources to respond to two or more large-scale disasters at the same time.

According to the federal National Institute for Standards and Technology, it takes just two minutes and 40 seconds for a fire to grow from inception to 2,000 degrees, engulfing an entire room in smoke and flames.

Fighting fires in a vertical city like New York is more complex and dangerous than anywhere else. With our dense population, thousands of lives can hang in the balance - and every second counts.

Eliminating FDNY engine companies - the first responder to medical emergencies - also radically increases the time to get medical attention to heart attack, stroke or accident victims.

And firefighters have new duties in the wake of the fatal Deutche Bank fire - the greater responsibility for inspections of residential and commercial buildings and construction sites.

The truth is, firefighters are busier than ever. Over the last five years, firefighters have responded to more emergencies than any time in the 145-year history of the FDNY.

And firefighters respond to every conceivable type of emergency. We have been trained to be New York City's first responder to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear attacks.

Mayor Bloomberg has already closed seven fire companies. If he succeeds in closing more, the safety of all who live, work and vacation in New York will be seriously compromised.

Firefighters are prepared to risk their lives at a moment's notice. They can't do that from closed firehouses. Let's hope the City Council can stop the mayor.

Steve Cassidy is the president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York.

Originally published by STEVE CASSIDY.