Fire Department Remains Vigilant
As you may have read in news coverage of the long budget process, the City Council stood its ground and convinced the City to scrap its misguided plan to permanently close 16 fire companies throughout the city, including Engine 161 in South Beach. As you may know, the original plan was to close Engine 161 along with three other fire companies on July 1, 2009, with an additional 12 companies slated to close in January 2010.
The Staten Island City Council delegation was united on this issue. Councilman Vincent Ignizio, Minority Leader Oddo and Councilman Mitchell were able to enlist the support of many other Elected Officials and community activists from South Beach, and around the city, all of whom recognized that protection from fire and responding to medical emergencies was one of the most basic and necessary functions of city government.
Although Engine 161 is housed in South Beach, this company frequently responds as far south as Great Kills and Oakwood. More importantly, during major emergencies, this company is part of an Island-wide network of 17 Engine companies and 12 Ladder companies that respond to dangerous fires and medical emergencies throughout the FDNY’s 8th Division.
« Back to Latest News
