FDNY Union Rallying to Get Fifth Firefighter on Engines
FDNY firefighters were joined by city officials and fire survivors during a rally to get a fifth crew member on engines.
During the Bloomberg era, a fifth firefighter was cut from many engines.
FDNY union heads are asking Mayor Zohran Mamdani to fund the extra firefighter for 86 engine companies, about half of the city's total. Right now, the city's 20 busiest stations have five, CBS reported.
The request comes as the fire death toll sits at 51, nearly double than it was at this time last year.
"Every fire department book that you'll read will say the safest thing you can do is get water on the fire as fast as possible. [The] fastest way to do that is with more firefighters," said Uniformed Firefighters Association Vice President Bobby Eustace.
Former Mayor Eric Adams tried to cut the fifth firefighter from the 20 stations, but failed.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.