Bayside Celebrates: FDNY Budget Cuts Hosed

A host of Queens politicos joined City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to celebrate the sparing of FDNY Engine 306 in Bayside which was

“Keeping fire houses saves lives,” said James Velin Vice-President, of the Uniformed Fire Fighters Association. “Knowing this firehouse will remain open, you’ll sleep easier,” he told the crowd.

The event was organized by Council Member Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone. "Preserving Engine 306 protects a huge neighborhood and one of the busiest commercial strips in Queens," said Halloran. "And it sends a message to Queens residents that their safety and security is our highest priority," he added.

What we do and don’t spend money on, speaks volumes about where our priorities are, Quinn said. “There are some things that are the foundation of the services we have to provide New Yorkers and firehouses are one of them,” she added.

“The have proven them wrong,” said Assembly Member Grace Meng, D-Flushing, who credited Community Board 11 for organizing the resistance to the proposed budget cuts.

Some elected officials felt that the outer-boroughs were being unfairly targeted by the budget cuts.

“Mayor Bloomberg seems to think this ,” said Assembly Member Ed Braunstein.

Emily Sung, who lives in an apartment building down the block from Engine 306, thanked common sense for “finally falling on the City Council.”

Echoing Speaker Quinn’s sentiment. , a member of CB 11 said it was good to have closure, but swore to be back next year if the firehouse is on the chopping block.

Check back with Patch for photos from the event.