For years, Bushwickers worried FDNY Engine Company 271 would be shuttered to fill gaps in the city’s budget. First the night shift was cut, then came several threats to close the company entirely. The community rallied to stop them; firefighters slammed the city for endangering the neighborhood. While locals’ attentions were focused on 271, the city quietly compiled a list of fire companies on the block, and after much pressure, released it to the public. 271 is safe. 218 is not.

The firehouse, operating out of its brick Hart Street building for 124 years, is one of twenty houses the city hopes to close to save an estimated $55 million dollars to close a $4.6-billion dollar deficit. Although New York City’s economy has fared better then other cities, Mayor Bloomberg still plans to cut $600 million dollars from the budget — with education, social services, and uniformed services getting the brunt of the cuts.

There are just just three weeks before residents find out if 218 — home of the "Bushwick Bomberos" — will officially shut its doors for good. Firefighters accuse the mayor of gambling with people’s lives.

“Bloomberg thinks like a businessman. There is a disconnect from the people who he serves,” said Fred, a firefighter who worked at Engine 218 during the ’90s and spoke exclusively to BushwickBK on the condition we do not use his real name.

An FDNY-commissioned study reported that if Engine 218, which serves parts of Bushwick and Williamsburg, were closed response times would only increase 15 seconds for the area. Fred calls the 15-second increase “generous,” claiming the study could not possibly factor in all possible senarios — leading to a much higher response time. This could mean life or death for victims.

Bloomberg has downplayed the effect of the closures and has said that advancements in technology and an overall faster response time will remain to keep New Yorkers safe. In a May radio address on WOR AM, Bloomberg said people are protesting the closures because “they are afraid of change.”

“Relying on modern technology doesn’t make any sense. They are playing Russian Roulette with people’s lives,” Fred said.

The last seven years have been the busiest for the FDNY, with each year topping the last. If trends continue, 2011 is on track to top last year.

“Bloomberg’s mantra is to do more with less. They have money to extend the High Line Park and want to build more pedestrian plazas. $50 million has been put aside to replace the tanks at the aquarium," Fred said. "I don’t have a problem with this but why not spend it on something important?”

The Firefighter’s Union has blasted Bloomberg for his lack of accountability for million-dollar money pits like CityTime and the troubled consolidation of the 911 calling centers. CityTime alone has cost the city and estimated $800 million with many consultant from the project being accused of defrauding the city. In a press release, Bloomberg acknowledged the widespread fraud and negligence and said his office was exploring options to recover the lost funds.

City Council members ultimately will have the final approval on the budget and with the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, time is running out. Councilwoman Diana Reyna has been vocal about the closing of Engine 218. “It is irresponsible to remove essential infrastructure in a community with skyrocketing residential developments,” said Reyna at a May rally to save the firehouses. Reyna’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Bennett Baruch, told BushwickBK that the closings were “unacceptable” and that the councilwoman along with other members were trying to find a solution.

Residents who spoke with BushwickBK were concerned about the closure. Sully and Juan Perez, who live close to Engine 218, moved into the area after their home on Woodbine St. caught fire. Coincidentally, firefighters from Engine 218 were the first to arrive on the scene to put out the flames, which the Perezes claimed lessened the damage to the rowhouse.

“If they close the firehouse then firefighters have to come from Williamsburg and Bed-Stuy and that is too far. These house catch fire quick,” Sully said.

Fred claimed the firefighters’ union has offered the mayor solutions to reduce cost but Bloomberg is being “vindictive,” which could have something to do with the union backing Bill Thompson in the last mayoral race.

“If the closures don’t happen after the budget is approved nothing is to say he won’t close them before he leaves office,” Fred said.

With pension reform being a major issue in Albany and in the city, the firefighters we spoke with feel that the closure threats are just a ploy to get the union to play ball and make cuts to benefits. “The union thinks this is a lot smoke and mirrors but Bloomberg could shut down the houses today if he wanted to. We have to wait and see,” Fred said.

A current firefighter from Engine 218 told BushwickBK that the firefighters were sad about the closing and being spread around the city to different houses. Some of the firefighters at 218 had been working there for years.

“We just want to stay in the hood,” said the firefighter, as he geared up for a call.