‘If only they had a 5th firefighter.’ Bronx families, city leaders push for FDNY staffing increase
The rally centered on a proposed $91.7 million increase in the city budget aimed at restoring the staffing position at 86 FDNY engine companies, supporters said.
City leaders and advocates rallied outside a Manhattan firehouse on Monday to call for increased funding for the FDNY, including a proposal to restore a fifth firefighter to engine companies across the city.
The rally centered on a proposed $91.7 million increase in the city budget aimed at restoring the staffing position at 86 FDNY engine companies, supporters said.
“For years our borough has experienced some of the city’s most heartbreaking tragedies,” said Bronx Councilmember Kevin Riley, of the 12th NYC Council District.
One of those tragedies was the Twin Parks fire, where Haji Dukuray said he lost five family members, including his niece.
“So it’s tough talking to my sister. She’s taking it really hard. Almost every day I call her, I always end up with tears in my eyes,” Dukuray said.
Reflecting on the fire that killed his relatives, Dukuray added, “If only they were there...if only they had a fifth firefighter, possibly I wouldn’t have lost members of my family.”
Organizers also pointed to other recent fires in the Bronx, including a Belmont fire in April that killed two women and injured several firefighters, and a Bainbridge Avenue apartment fire last month that killed three children, including twin toddlers.
“When you see the children and so many people who lose their life to the fire, it just really hurts,” said community member Phyllis Cook, of Fordham Heights.
Supporters of the proposal say adding a fifth firefighter to responding crews would improve emergency response efforts and help save lives.
“If you don’t have a fifth firefighter on your truck, you need to wait for another truck to come,” said Bronx Councilmember Justin Sanchez, of District 17.
Sanchez said he was among those who drafted a letter to the mayor’s office in February urging action on the proposal.
The plan would cost an estimated $91.7 million, according to supporters.
The fifth firefighter position was eliminated in 2011 under then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the administration of Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, “The Mamdani administration looks forward to continuing conversations with the council regarding a fifth firefighter pilot proposal.”
Officials say discussions on the proposal are ongoing.
Dukuray said the loss of his family continues to weigh heavily on him.
“If only they had extra help, maybe that would have saved my family. I don’t want any family or community to go through that,” Dukuray said.
