Big ax looming at the FDNY: Threat of 1,000 layoffs, closing of 62 fire companies

Daily News ^ | 3/11/10 | Jonathan Lemire

[Kartographer]

The FDNY is bracing for doomsday.

The department will be forced to close a staggering 62 fire companies and lay off more than 1,000 firefighters if the bad-news state budget becomes reality, Commissioner Salvatore Cassano told the City Council Wednesday.

"We would be very, very taxed," warned a grim-faced Cassano. "Our operations would be impacted and every neighborhood in this city would feel the effect."

[deadrock]

'.....or we can raise taxes, your choice.'

'.....or we shoot the dog, your choice.'

[ATX 1985]

What a shame, I was just watching a report about the increasing number of small towns (under 5,000) that are completely doing away with their biggest budget item, the Police force. Though of course State Police will have a small presence, I sure hope law abiding citizens in those towns buy more guns!

In the case of the fire stations being shut down, hopefully with a reduction of services from our massive budget deficits we will see a rise in charitable actions and volunteering.

[freedumb2003]

IMHO, FDNY and firefighters all over the country have been riding 9/11 since 9/12.

It was sad that some were killed that day, but the way the firefighters all over have capitalized on the dead is just shy of abuse.

Now, their huge demands have come home to roost — for the newer fighters, of course.

I guess I should don my OWN Nomex underwear now, right?

[Cicero]

How about laying off a few of Bloomberg’s cigarette police? Or his newest idea, the salt police?

[VeniVidiVici]

There will be plenty of bus drivers though. Perhaps they could cross-train?

[Outlaw Woman]

Hope and change not working out so well for them huh?

[Little Bill]

Greenfield, NH was one if I remember correctly. In my town we have a couple of full timers, < 2500, the rest are part timers, Everyone is armed, killing bambi is a sacred right as is possessing the means to do so,

[Joe Boucher]

Hey,
Gots to have a way for all them maids to get to work.

[Straight Vermonter]

Fire departments have become victims of their own success as well as better building and electric codes. The fact of the matter is that we don’t need as many fire fighters as we once did.

[DainBramage]

Give us your opinion of how firefighters have capitalized on 9/11 to the point of abuse.

[xkaydet65]

Firefighters bring no money into city coffers.You will not see a single parking agent, sanitation cop,traffic enforcement agent. The only firefighters who do that are safety inspectors, and none of those will be laid off either.

[Natural Law]

The citizens of NYC need to get a copy of the budget and a highlighter and line through everything that the city needs less than those FDNY stations and firefighters. I’ll bet there is enough items identified to pay for them ten times over.

[My hearts in London - Everett]

I guess homeowners better go and out buy a bigger water hose to take care of themselves in an emergency.

[dljordan]

“The citizens of NYC need to get a copy of the budget and a highlighter and line through everything that the city needs less than those FDNY stations and firefighters. I’ll bet there is enough items identified to pay for them ten times over.”

You’ll have to supply translators for about half of the ‘citizens’. :)

[MamaDearest]

News Release - New York City Pensions win Political Disclosure Requirements from Bank of America

 
The New York City Pension Funds are the: New York City Employees’ Retirement System, Teachers’ Retirement System, New York City Police Pension Fund, New York City Fire Department Pension Fund, and Board of Education Retirement System. The
New York City Comptroller serves on the Board of Trustees of four of the five New York City pension systems and is investment advisor to, and custodian of, all five.

[freedumb2003]

In California, for example, firefighters have gotten premium retirement packages — huge %, young age. Salaries and especially additional pay have gone up substantially.

All these gains were since 9/11 and always presented with a wide-eyed “you wouldn’t say no to Real Heroes would you.”

Again, my opinion and based on stories I have seen circulate all over.

YMMV.

[Rebelbase]

After the station closures look for homeowner and business structures fire insurance rates to skyrocket in the affected areas.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

The foul, ugly, degenerate politicians allowed to govern us do this to scare people into granting a tax increase; i.e. “we must cut fire and/or police unless we can raise taxes.” The foul and corrupt politicians do this all the time in the “Democratic Peoples Republic of Kalifornia.” Kalifornians are getting used to them and the threat is losing its impact. The people of New York should organize enough to tell their “Pols” to cut out funding the aliens and stuffing each others pockets.