It’s not terribly alarming, but Engine 271 at Himrod and St. Nicholas — which just celebrated its 100th year of service in Bushwick — will lose its night shift in order to help FDNY save almost $9 million.
City services are facing cuts across the board due to the deflating economy, and the “least active” fire department shifts are being cut — one of those is Engine 271 in burny old Bushwick. In the 1970s, the company moved its kitchen from the third to the first floor in order to respond to the area’s numerous fires more quickly. Times certainly change.
Officials said other engines could cover the gaps more easily at night when there is less traffic, but that might not calm the nerves of Bushwickers who lived through the ’70s and ’80s. They know more fatalities happen after dark.
ricmac01 December 5th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
This story has been getting quite a bit of play on the TV news, complete with obligatory shocked reactions of local politicians and concerned citizens. But doesn’t $2,000,000 seem like quite a lot of money for just one shift? Remember, all the fixed expenses will still be there since they’re merely cutting out the night shift. Just how many people man these shifts I wonder.
On the other hand, why is a savings of less than 1% of the department’s annual budget receiving such media attention? This is usually done to divert our attention while they get ready to pull the wool over our eyes. God, how did I get so cynical?
chillinoncentral December 5th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Now THIS is a situation worthy of a federal bailout. This just goes to show you how normal it is for our Bushwick community to be countinuously underserved. I’d rather see GM, AIG and Goldman Sach all go under than for a single life be put at risk… and no matter how this move is poo poo’d, it does put us all in further risk.
Jeremy Sapienza December 5th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Considering that it’s one of the least-busy engine shifts in the entire City of New York, I don’t think we’re in very much danger. And $2 million is a LOT of money to pay people to sleep.
bushwicknative December 5th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
I grew up around the corner from that firehouse and can recall many a tim ewhen we would visit and the firemen would let us ring the bell and touch the fire engine.
I find it hard to believe it is one of the least busy units in the city. But I guess that is a good thing. Still it is a shame that this is happening.
John Dereszewski December 6th, 2008 at 12:37 am
This is a BIG issue and one that ALL Bushwick residents should really get involved about.
First, the assumption that this is one of the “least-busy engine shifts” in the City should not be uncritically accepted. The Fire Dept’s statistics that I have reviewed in the NYC web site are not very revealing and do not provide any grounds to support their decision. Unless something materially more convincing can be provided by the Department, we should definitely not accept the purported data.
Second, the (hopefully not) anticipated consequences of the recent economic downturn strongly suggest that increased fire incidents – including those caused by arson – may very well emerge in the near future. These trends occurred in the 1970′s and may very well revisit Bushwick during the uncoming turmoil. Even if this ultimately proves not to be the case, this is clearly not the time to dismiss this argument. Instead, we need to err on the side of vigilance – and retain the services of this fire company to combat this problem during all hours of the day and night.
In sum, this provides a golden opportunity for both the longterm and recent residents of Bushwick and Ridgewood to join together in opposing this service cut and supporting the continued maintenance of City services at – in the least – their current rate.
This may be the beginning of a wonderful friendship between Bushwick’s newer and older residents.
Rachel Geizhals December 10th, 2008 at 10:53 am
Is anyone in Bushwick organizing events about this (protests, rallies, meetings, etc.)?
John Dereszewski December 11th, 2008 at 12:54 am
Since this post is already off the first page, it may be a bit late to make a difference, but for whatever it’s worth …
I am sure that both Bushwick’s Community Board 4 and Council Member Reyna are actively addressing this issue. You should contact the Board at 718-628-8400 and the Council Member at 718-963-3141 to learn about – and hopefully join – their actions to oppose this action.
In addition, CB4 will next meet on Wednesday, December 17th at the Hope Gardens Community Center – corner of Wilson and Linden – at 6 PM. This will provide an opportunity to learn what the Board is doing about this – as well as an occasion to express your views on this -issue.
Finally, you may wish to reach out to Ridgewood’s Community Board 5, which is also directly affected by this action. In the past, CB 5 played an important role in successfully opposing the proposed closure of the firehouse situated near the Central Ave./Decatur St. intersection. They could also be a valuable ally here.
Good luck on this very important issue.
Rachel Geizhals December 11th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
John – I’m a reporter and I’m writing about this issue in Bushwick. Would I be able to interview you? How can I contact you?
John Dereszewski December 11th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Rachel, please call me at (718) 897-1816 or contact me at JADBB@VERIZON.NET
Look forward to speaking to you.