The city is putting its firefighters in jeopardy unless significant funds are allocated for upgrades to the century-old stations of the FDNY.
While Mayor Adams and the City Council finalized the new budget, the Uniformed Firefighters Association noted that 23 buildings urgently need a total of $81 million specifically for roof repairs.
The UFA has reported that many of the fire stations suffer from cracked ceilings, moldy walls, and other serious structural problems.
“We might be regarded as the best fire station globally, but it’s really just grit and determination keeping us going. For decades, we have faced financial neglect,” a representative stated.
The unsafe conditions, according to Eustace, could lead to slower emergency response times, as firefighters and medics are forced to operate in unsafe environments or move to other facilities.
On Friday, Adams and the City Council approved temporary contracts as part of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, starting Tuesday. Despite initial requests for the agency, there still remains a billion-dollar shortfall, primarily for repairing infrastructure and replacing outdated equipment.
Many of the FDNY buildings are aging, requiring extensive renovations to ensure safety. This includes urgent repairs on roofs, long neglected by City Hall.
Council minority leader Joanne Ariola (R-Keynes), who leads the Fire and Emergency Management Committee, expressed shock at the dire conditions of the buildings she visited.
“It’s ironic and cruel that the brave firefighters trying to save lives are doing so from crumbling structures that could fail at any moment,” she remarked.
FDNY’s facilities are experiencing serious issues, impacting essential functions like fire prevention and training, and call for immediate capital investment for repairs.
Out of the 23 flagged FDNY buildings in need of roof repairs, ten are located in Queens. Notable among them are the FDNY training center at Fort Totten Park requiring $15 million, EMS Station 45 in Woodside needing $8 million for its 63 years of wear, and Engine Co. 264 at 112 years old which needs $5 million in repairs.
Recent photographs showcase alarming conditions at FDNY Squad 288 in Maspeth, Queens—constructed in 1913, the site deals with severe sewage issues, cracked structural elements, mold, and exposed asbestos. The union contends that the garage harboring the vehicles is at risk of collapse.
In a safety measure, firefighters had to personally repair the garage floor, fearing for safety until the city could respond, Eustace mentioned.
FDNY announced that repairs for Squad 288 are set to commence in the fall.
Visual evidence from Bronx Engine Co. 96 reveals a significant sinkhole on the roof, and within the 59-year-old station, issues like leaky windows, wall damage, mold, and exposed asbestos persist, necessitating around $2.2 million in repairs.
Union estimates indicate that FDNY’s 219 fire stations and 37 EMS stations collectively require hundreds of millions in repairs.
FDNY spokesperson Amanda Farinacci Gonzalez emphasized the agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its members, stating they are prioritizing necessary repairs to facilities and that emergency issues will be addressed promptly.
A spokesman for the Mayor, Zachary Nosanchuk, claimed the proposed budget includes unprecedented funding aimed at supporting FDNY personnel.
