NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg is once again planning to close 20 fire companies citywide, most likely including City Island’s Ladder Company 53, which could come as early as July 1, 2012. Councilman Jimmy Vacca says City Islanders already expect that their ladder company is once again on that list.
Vacca and City Islanders have fought the proposed closure of our ladder company four times before and won. We will be out in full-force fighting once again. Every year it has been the same fight and every year the City has heard our defense.
No one can justify doubling response time and nobody can say that residents, businesses, and visitors to the Island’s 33 restaurants will be safe, if Ladder 53 is eliminated.
No one prove that our budget is so dire that public safety might be jeopardized. Fire companies in New York City should never be considered for closure and I will insist that the Council restore this funding.