Hundreds Rally in Brooklyn to Save Local Firehouses from Closure

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In Brooklyn, hundreds rallied with one goal in mind: save their neighborhood firehouses. Eight are on the verge of closure, looming casualties of the Mayor's budget axe. But the call on Sunday was united and loud.

Although there have been numerous rallies to save these firehouses, the reality is that time is running out. In Cobble Hill at Engine 204, a "Building for Sale" sign has been put out front. By next month, Engine 204 and other Engines like it may be history.

The scene on Sunday was of passionate people up against the clock.

Karen Richter, Brooklyn Resident: "It is a shame that this is what it has come to...but if this is what its come to...then this is what we have to do."

Twenty-six years ago New York City firefighters saved Karen Richter's life. And so she says saving their firehouse is payback.

Karen Richter, Brooklyn Resident: "And that's why I'm here...I'm not related to a fireman...but I'm here because citizens should be here and citizens should care. You got to get up and get out and do it."

Eight firehouses are scheduled to close, five of them in Brooklyn. It could happen in less than a month. And so on Sunday, a borough-wide battle started in downtown Brooklyn and ended with a march over the Brooklyn bridge straight to City Hall. Hundreds of people were involved.

The Mayor says you can't discount the budget. This conflict is all about money. If the Mayor's "Doomsday Budget" goes through, we won't be talking about eight firehouses but more like 30 to 40.

Steve Buscemi, Actor, Former Firefighter: "If we let them get away with closing these firehouses this year, it's guaranteed next year or sometime in the future they will close more firehouses...if they think this is a way to save money."

Tom Westhoff, FDNY: "I'm not just a fireman...I'm a resident of Carroll Gardens. And if I'm working at a different firehouse...I want to make sure someone is there to protect my wife and my son...God forbid if anything were to happen."

But it is going to take more than signs and public outcry to keep these firehouses open. It would take about $10 million to keep them open. There is already one company trying to do it by taking donations from corporations. They have raise $1.5 million, but it is unclear if the Mayor would accept that money.