NEW YORK, NY May 12, 2009 —The City Council is holding hearings on the Fire Department's budget today, including the contentious issue of whether to close 16 fire houses. Mayor Bloomberg says the city can save $17 million, either through the closures or by reducing the number of firefighters at more than 60 engine companies.

But Councilman James Vacca, who heads the council's Fire and Criminal Justice committee, says the cuts jeopardize public safety.

VACCA: With the ladder company closing on City Island, for example, response time there for another ladder company will go from five minutes to 10 minutes. That increase in response times means life and death.

REPORTER: Vacca says instead of fire house closures, cuts should be directed at administrative expenses.