We love our firehouses and firefighters in Park Slope because they’re such a vital part of life around here. That’s why there’s a big neighborhood rally tonight (Thursday) at 7PM in front of Engine 220 on 11th Street between 7th and 8th avenues, one of the firehouses that Mayor Bloomberg has slated for closure.

We need and depend on our local firefighters for emergencies of all kinds. They’re there. They’re on it. The response time is fast, their dependability is solid.

After 9/11, we truly understand their level of commitment and the profound, mortal risks they take for the public good. We vowed never to forget the sacrifices they made on that day (and on other days) and the men and women who were lost.

I remember in the weeks and months after 9/11 waving to the guys from Squad 1 and 220 every time they rode by in their trucks. It was such an emotional time.

Firefighters are, quite simply, part of the fabric of this place we call home. Sure, you can reduce what they do to a spread sheet. But that’s so reductive and short-sighted. Think about all they do:

Firefighters control and put out fires, they perform search and rescue at fire emergencies, provide pre-hospital emergency medical care, and perform fire safety education. Think of those class trips and the way they inspire children.

They also enforce laws, ordinances, rules and regulations regarding the prevention, control and extinguishment of fires and  to non-fire emergencies including terrorist activity, hazardous materials incidents, vehicle accidents, water main breaks and utility emergencies.

Need I say more?

Politicians try to measure things and balance budgets. But the relationship between a community and its firehouses is special and hard to measure. They contribute in ineffable ways to the texture of our lives and the ways that we feel safe.

Come rally in support of Engine 220. They deserve it and so do we.

The rally is being held to demonstrate the depth of community outrage over cuts to public services that are basic to public wellbeing, while the Mayor refuses to lend his support to the millionaires’ tax that could mitigate some of the need for cutbacks. Join Assemblymember Jim Brennan, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Senator Eric Adams, Yvonne Graham, Deputy Brooklyn Borough President, Steve Buscemi, Marian Fontana, Al Hagan, President, Uniformed Fire Officers NS Jim Rallis, Former Captain, Ladder 122 at the 7PM rally.