Statement by Public Advocate de Blasio on Proposed Cuts to Fire Companies

"Public safety is the most fundamental duty of our government, and I applaud Mayor Bloomberg’s decision to maintain current NYPD force levels. However, the failure to restore funding for 20 fire companies in this year’s budget is a dangerous gamble that will put New Yorkers’ lives at risk. We’ve looked at this: closing these companies would push entire neighborhoods over the national standard for acceptable response times. Under the Mayor’s plan, communities would be singled out and put at higher risk of fire-related death and injury. Mayor Bloomberg needs to heed the voices of New Yorkers—who vehemently opposed these same cuts last year—and present a plan that protects the safety of the homes of all New Yorkers.”

Read Public Advocate Bill de Blasio’s 2011 report on the life-threatening consequences fire company closures have on local communities here: http://advocate.nyc.gov/files/DeBlasio_Fire_Company_Closures_Brief.pdf