The FDNY is considering stationing one less firefighter at its busiest engine companies as part of a cost-savings measure to cover rising medical leave, officials said Thursday.
As early as next week, the Fire Department might stop assigning a fifth firefighter to the 15 engine companies that had the extra help.
The vast majority of the department’s fire engines are staffed with four firefighters.
Under its contract with Uniformed Firefighters’ Association, the FDNY can eliminate the additional firefighter if the absence rate over a year-long period exceeds 7.5 percent. It is currently at 7.5053 percent.
City Councilman Joe Borelli (R-S.I.), who chairs the Fire and Emergency Management Committee, said the city shouldn’t be cutting engine-company staffing over mere fractions of a percent.
“This .0053% is not worth jeopardizing the safety of thousands of firefighters,” said Borelli. “It’s putting people in danger for BS.”