Kids from P.S. 273 in Woodhaven were part of the rally to save Engine 294. The Woodhaven firehouse is one of 20 in danger of being shut down in Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s 2013 executive budget. Forum Newsgroup photo by Luis Gronda.
Residents of Woodhaven and Richmond Hill stood outside of Engine 294 on Tuesday morning, along with elected officials, to protest Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan to close 20 fire companies, including the one based in Woodhaven.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that 20 companies would be on the chopping block in the $68.7 billion executive budget for the 2013 fiscal year.
For the residents of Woodhaven and Richmond Hill, this news does not come as a surprise, as that engine company has been up for possible closure several times in past years.
“Every year since we had it open, we’ve been fighting to keep it open,” said Maria Thomson, a Woodhaven resident and executive director of the Woodhaven Business Improvement District.
At this year’s rally to save Engine 294, many of the speakers talked about how difficult it was for the neighborhood when that engine company temporarily closed down, back in 1991.
Then-Mayor David Dinkins closed down the fire company in an economic move during that time. Just days after it was officially closed, two brothers who were living in a nearby apartment died in a fire. Many people blamed that closing for the death of the two brothers, saying that it could have been prevented if that firehouse was still open.
“If they were here that day, those two men may still be alive,” said Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, who hosted the rally on the morning of May 29 and heads the City Council Fire and Criminal Justice Committee.
“It was terrible when it was closed,” Thomson said. “It was really a very hard time for our community.”
Engine 294 was eventually reopened in 1994, but it is once again in danger of being shut down.
Steven Cassidy, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, said that if Engine 294 were to close down, it would slow down response times in the area for fires and medical emergencies.
“The bottom line is very simple: If they close down 294, there will be no one in this community to provide the medical attention that the taxpayers need and deserve,” Cassidy said.
He also said that it would be more difficult to put out a fire if Engine 294 is shut down. Cassidy said at least two engine companies are required to go to a location to put out a single fire.
“If this company closes, they’ll need two engines from another neighborhood to get here,” he said.
According to Edward Boles, treasurer of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, New York City is ranked last in the number of firehouses per capita.
“We cannot lose one company,” Boles said. “New York City is already underserved.”
A kindergarten class from P.S. 273, which is on 102nd Street and 88th Avenue, just one block and two avenues over from Engine 294, attended the rally as well.
The class’ teacher, Patti Egensteiner, encouraged the children to chant “save our firehouse! And you save me, in an emergency!” as they appeared at the event. They also held signs that were similar to their chant.
Crowley made it clear at the rally that the 20 firehouses, like Engine 294, should not be closed to balance the budget.
“We need to make sure that when a budget is passed in New York City, it is a budget that keeps our residents safe,” she said. “We are here today to say ‘no!’ Not in our neighborhood or anywhere in the city of New York.”
By Luis Gronda
