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"The Little Engine that Could!"

Rally to Save New York City Fire Stations. Mayor Bloomberg threatens to close 20 stations as part of a budget cut.

Engine # 261; Hook & Ladder Company 116, Astoria         Full Video Coverage of the rally is available in 18 segments of 1 minute to 3 minutes each Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 2: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 3: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 4: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 5: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 6: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 7: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 8: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 9: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 10: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 11: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 12: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 13: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 14: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 15: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 16: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 17: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010 Part 18: Rally to Save NYC Fire Stations, 5/7/2010

Long Island City, New York May 7, 2010 - When it comes to safety and security, the people of New York City know what to do. New York City residents do not think closing a fire station is a good idea. The Mayor of New York City has decided that as many as 20 New York City Fire Stations can be closed. The people do not agree. A rally was organized at Engine # 261; Hook & Ladder Company 116 in Astoria to voice strong opposition to Mayor Bloomberg's proposal to close Fire Stations. Engine # 261; Hook & Ladder Company 116 is a neighborhood fire station surrounded by many wood frame homes in Astoria. It also serves Roosevelt Island. Within a short walk of this fire station are five hotels that are under construction, not to mention the largest residential complexes in New York City. The proposal to close Fire Stations comes at a time when there is a severe budget crisis in NYC and Albany. The Uniformed Fire Officers Association, representing over 2,500 Lieutenants, Captains, Battalion Chief, Deputy Chiefs, Supervising Fire Marshals and Medical Officers of the New York City Fire Department, announced the beginning of a campaign to save 20 engine companies from closure. "New York City continues to be the primary terrorist target, therefore closing 20 engine companies is civic insanity. The definition of insanity is giving the terrorists a map of the 20 weakest links in the Fire Department." Captain Alexander Hagan, President of the UFOA, said. "Closing 20 engine companies will result in dangerous increases in response times, more lives lost and an incalculable increase in property damage" he said. There seems to be a consensus among elected officials at city, state, and local level that the Mayor of The City of New York should not pursue his idea to close any Fire Stations in NYC. Speakers included: Jimmy Van Bramer, NYC Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, NYC Council Member Catherine Nolan, New York State Assemblywoman Michael Gianaris, New York State Assemblyman John Liu, NYC Comptroller Peter Vallone Jr, NYC Council Member Joined by MEMBERS OF: Uniformed Firefighters Association Uniformed Fire Officers Association Community Board 1 Community Board 2 Dutch Kills Civic Association Queensbridge Tenants Association Ravenswood Residents Association St. Patrick's Church United Community Civic Association Long Island City Business Development Corporation Full video coverage of the "RALLY TO SAVE OUR FIRE HOUSES" and follow up Q&A are available in the left column. Segments of approximately three to five minutes each are being loaded. Highlights: Hook and Ladder 116, 37-20 29th Street, LIC, where the rally was held is not necessarily targeted to be closed. John Liu, NYC Comptroller, refered to $125 million being withheld by a city agency, and said that a small portion of those funds could be used to fund the budget gap that would cause the Mayor to consider closing the Fire Stations. Elizabeth Crowley, NYC Council Member, made an empassioned plea to the Mayor and the Administration to protect the community, and abandon the idea of closing Fire Stations. Fire fighters are first responders, not only in times of fires, but ALL other emergencies. At a time when terrorist are stepping up their attacks on New York City, it seems unsuppportable to close fire stations. On the wall of the Astoria Fire Station where the rally was held, there are two photos honoring Fire Fighter Paul Gill and Fire Fighter Thomas Castoria. These were brave men who were lost in the 9/11 World Trade Center Tragedy. Full video coverage of the "RALLY TO SAVE OUR FIRE HOUSES" and follow up Q&A are available in the left column. Segments of approximately three to five minutes each are being loaded.