City Council Speaker Julie Menin wants to add a fifth firefighter to 86 FDNY engine companies in high-risk areas

By Luke Peteley
Staten Island Advance

NEW YORK — City Council Speaker Julie Menin is pushing for a fifth firefighter on FDNY trucks at dozens of engine companies across the city, in a move that’s generating support among some Staten Island lawmakers.

The initiative, which would apply to 86 engine companies in the busiest and most dangerous corridors, would require Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s approval and about $92 million in funding, the New York Post reported.

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“Our city has seen far too many devastating fires lately, destroying homes and taking lives,” Council Speaker Julie Menin, a Democrat who represents a part of Manhattan, said in a post on X Tuesday. “We need to take action. Today, the Council is announcing a push to add a fifth firefighter to @FDNY trucks across the city. A fifth crew member means faster response times, safer conditions for firefighters, and a greater ability to save lives when every second counts.”

The “fifth man” was cut under former Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2011, according to the outlet. Currently, only 20 of the 200 or so engines operating in the city have a fifth firefighter, as explained in the report.

The latest effort to restore the “fifth man” has appeared to generate support from Staten Island councilmembers on both sides of the aisle.

“We have been fighting to restore the cuts made to FDNY engine companies for more than a decade, and I think we are at a critical juncture right now,” said Minority leader David Carr, a Republican who represents the Mid-Island. “As more fast-moving fires result in more fatalities across our city, our bravest need the proper personnel to respond and do what they do best — save lives.”

Councilmember Frank Morano, a Republican who represents the South Shore, also weighed in.

“Strongly support the @NYCCouncil push to restore the “5th man” on more FDNY engine companies,” Councilmember Frank Morano, posted on X Tuesday. “Fires today move faster than ever, especially w/ the rise in lithium-ion battery fires. Staffing matters. Credit to @JulieMenin for making this a budget priority.“

Majority Whip Kamillah Hanks, a Democrat who represents the North Shore, reposted Menin’s X post on Tuesday.

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