Thousands of FDNY firefighters joined by community members rallied against the mayor's plan to close 20 firehouses.
Thousands of FDNY firefighters joined by community members rallied against the mayor's plan to close 20 firehouses, according to WABC-TV.
A march began at Engine 205 in the the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood on Friday and ended outside of City Hall where close to 6,000 protested the cuts.
The proposed closures would occur on July 1 when the budget for fiscal year 2012 takes effect.
Community activists spoke out in support of the firefighters.
"It will put lives in jeopardy because it will extend the response time of the FDNY," Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz told the news station.
The Uniformed Firefighters Association ran a newspaper ad to announce the rally. The ad depicts Mayor Michael Bloomberg dressed as the grim reaper.
Bloomberg insists that the closings won't put anyone in danger and that fewer firefighters are needed because buildings are safer.
The plan would save the city an estimated $55 million.
