The Governors Island firehouse - which insiders say makes only 50 runs a year - is currently funded by the feds. But the city will begin sharing the $1.2 million annual tab when it takes over the island on Oct. 1, Fire Department officials said.
"This is a slap in the face to New Yorkers who live in neighborhoods that lost firehouses - to see firefighters and equipment going to protect an unpopulated island," fumed Councilman David Yassky, whose district includes Engine 212 in Williamsburg - shut in April to help close the city's $3.6 billion budget gap.
"This is ridiculous," said Daniel Rivera, a volunteer working to get Engine 212 reopened.
"Where is the FDNY and the city getting the money to open another firehouse when they're claiming that they're closing firehouses to save money?"
Twelve firefighters currently work at the Governors Island firehouse, but that number will more than double when the city takes over, due to FDNY manning rules.
Fire and union officials defended the city's decision to fund the firehouse.
Part of the deal that gave New York control of the island said the city must provide basic municipal services - and that includes fire protection, officials noted.
