Budget cuts in 2003 shut down a Long Island City fire engine company. But with a growing population and rapid development, elected officials and community leaders say access to emergency services in the neighborhood is needed now more than ever.  NY1's Leisha Majtan has the story.

 

Every second counts and Long Island City resident George Stamatiades says 14 years is far too long without a fire engine company in the neighborhood.

"Knowing that they can't put water on the fire until the engine company shows up is very very disturbing to all of us,” said Stamatiades, the president of the Dutch Kills Civic Association.

Residents, elected leaders, and union officials rallied Friday demanding the City reopen Engine 261 on 29th Street.

Budget cuts under Mayor Michael Bloomberg forced the engine company, responsible for putting water on flames, to move out.

Ladder Company 116, which handles rescues, remained.

"I don't want to be sitting here after there's a fire nearby, after one of the new residents experiences the loss of life or an injury because we didn't have this engine company reopened in the heart of this neighborhood when we needed it," said State Senator Michael Gianaris, who represents the district.

Statistics from the Long Island City Partnership show there are more than 9,000 rental units coming to the area by the end of this year. Leaders say as buildings rise and the population soars, so does the potential for serious emergencies.

"If anything, we need more services, more infrastructure, more fire houses, more engine companies," said Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, who also represents the area.  

Officials say over the years, without Engine 261, the burden has been placed on other nearby engine companies. And that they say puts everyone at risk.

"They're working harder, they're responding to more runs, that may mean that also their availability isn't what it was because they're responding to more runs," said Gerard Fitzgerald, the president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association.

NY1 reached out to City Hall, they referred us to the Fire Department.

An FDNY spokesperson tells us, "the Department is dedicated to maintaining the most efficient network of fire mitigation resources, and we continue to adapt our locations with the changing landscape and population of New York City.”

Residents say they'll continue the fight for one simple goal...

"We've gotta save lives," said Jerry Walsh, a Long Island City resident.