REMARKS
Council Member Ariola addresses fire department funding concerns
2:10:31
ยท
116 sec
Council Member Joann Ariola responds to Jack Spillane's testimony by acknowledging the fire department's budget issues and committing to fight for increased funding. She emphasizes the importance of the fire department and the need for proper resources.
- Ariola notes that the fire department's budget has been baselined for the past three years
- She promises to work with colleagues to secure necessary funding for both the fire and parks departments
- Ariola mentions ongoing discussions with various stakeholders to address the funding issues
Joann Ariola
2:10:31
Thank you so much for your testimony.
2:10:33
And and as we've spoken about many times, the fire department, for the last 3 years that I've been the chair, has been baselined.
2:10:42
There hasn't been an increase in your budget at all, and that's just not acceptable.
2:10:49
And we're seeing more fires, and we're seeing our our our firehouses breaking down, our fire equipment breaking down, the the, equipment you are mentioning that's needed, the the heavy gear, and and everything that needs to be changed.
2:11:06
And because why haven't hasn't the fire department gotten additional money?
2:11:11
Because the fire department does their job no matter what.
2:11:15
No matter what, whether you have the funding or you don't.
2:11:18
But this year is different.
2:11:21
You as the union are here asking for money.
2:11:24
The fire department today asked for money.
2:11:28
Me as your chair will be fighting for money.
2:11:30
I just had a conversation with with chair Krishnan about parks department and fire department.
2:11:37
We need your departments to be as well funded as other first responding departments within this city of New York.
2:11:45
You're not a stepchild.
2:11:47
You are a very important agency that responds to fires that save lives.
2:11:54
And I will do my best with my colleagues in government to make sure that you get what you need.
2:11:59
I've already started with conversations with the union, yourselves, with with Commissioner Tucker, with OMB, and with the mayor's office.
2:12:09
And it we really won't stop until we have what we need for the parks department, for for the fire department, and for any other agency that had really been a stepchild over the last number of budget, budget cycles.
2:12:23
So thank you so much for taking the time to come here today.