Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed, once again, closing 20 fire companies to save money in the fiscal year 2012 budget. One of the companies was Engine Company 294 serving Woodhaven and Richmond Hill. Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, with the support of Speaker Christine Quinn and her colleagues in the City Council, fought against closing any firehouses in New York City.
“The Mayor’s list of the 20 targeted company closings illustrates how every corner of this city will be impacted, its safety compromised and its residents put at risk– this is unacceptable. If the City moves forward with any of these closures, people who could have been saved will die,” Council Member Crowley said.
After numerous rallies with elected officials and concerned residents at firehouses proposed to close, the City Council restored funding for all 20 fire companies.
“Thanks to the leadership of Speaker Quinn, along with my colleagues, the City Council once again restored the funding to keep all fire companies open. The City Council has demonstrated that maintaining our fire protection is a top priority,” Council Member Crowley said after funding was restored.
“As we approach the 10th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11, we remain the number one terrorist target in the world. We will never forget the 343 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on that day and we honor their service by providing our FDNY with the resources to do their job as safely as possible,” she continued.
In 2008 Council Member Elizabeth Crowley was elected to represent the 30th Council District covering the Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood, and Woodhaven neighborhoods. Elizabeth was the first female and first Democrat elected to represent that seat. She has chaired the Fire & Criminal Justice Services Committee since January 2010 which oversees the Fire Department, Department of Correction, Department of Probation, and Criminal Justice Coordinator’s Office.
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