NEW YORK (AP) -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Tuesday he respects the bravery of firefighters who died at the World Trade Center, but said he does not have enough time to attend each funeral and memorial service.

``I can't go to every one. I'd like to go to more,'' Bloomberg said. ``My first concern is that we take care of the families of firefighters who gave their lives.''

Bloomberg drew the ire of some firefighters after he missed the funeral of firefighter Robert King last week. The day of the funeral, Bloomberg attended a private memorial service for a friend at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Bloomberg has missed five memorial or funeral services for firefighters since his inauguration Jan. 1. Officials say 343 firefighters died in the Sept. 11 attack.

Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani had made attending the funerals a priority, whereas Bloomberg has usually been represented at the services by Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta.