Officials are pushing for the reinstatement of FDNY Engine Company 261 to support the growing population of Long Island City.
Politicians, firefighter union leaders and local residents say it was a mistake to remove the firehouse from active use 15 years ago during Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s time, reports CBS2’s Dave Carlin. With the much debated Amazon headquarters move bringing tens of thousands to clog streets, the New York Fire Department will needs more resources in more places to get around congestion.
“Every second is critical, each second of delay has an impact on keeping New Yorkers safe,” said Gerard Fitzpatrick, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association.
“Long Island City is not protected adequately,” said Jake Lemonda with the Uniformed Fire Officers Association. “Engine 261 was closed back in 2003, population was around 60,000. Today it is over 200,000 occupants.”