Some city smoke-eaters are Twittering up a firestorm.
The firefighters of Engine Co. 28 and Ladder Co. 11 in the East Village have begun posting unsanctioned tweets to alert local residents when the company is unable to respond to emergency calls, The Post has learned.
"We're just trying to let people know when we're not around," said a source familiar with the instant-messaging tactic, which has nothing to do with the FDNY's official Twitter account.
According to unofficial Fire Department logs obtained by The Post, Engine Co. 28 and Ladder Co. 11 were pulled out of service on 20 occasions last month for everything from mechanical failure to training, and to cover other firehouses when other units are pulled from service.
"Technically, you're going to increase response times," said the source. "People should know when their fire company is out of service. It's the taxpayers' money. It's your money."
The FDNY claims that units are routinely pulled from service for various reasons and it does not present a danger to the public.
"There is ample coverage on the Lower East Side," said an FDNY spokesman. "There are redundancies built into the response."
"Surrounding companies and other companies are brought in to substitute the company that is at training or doing medical evaluations. Neighboring units also provide coverage and the area is not left vulnerable."
On Oct. 11, Engine Co. 28 was pulled out of service from 4 to 7 p.m. due to mechanical failures of its truck, according to the logs.
A few days later, Ladder 11 was pulled out of service for five hours while it participated in a drill in Queens, the log revealed.
So far this month, there were 17 occasions when either the engine or the truck was pulled out of service, logs revealed.
More recent service changes are posted on the fire company's Twitter page.
"Ladder 11 CLOSED for the day 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. by the FDNY because it is relocated to Ladder Co. 24 in Midtown leaving Alphabet City and LES (Lower East Side) w/o 1st due truck," read a message on Twitter posted last week.
One Twitter message announced Mayor Bloomberg's proposed plan last Thursday to shutter 20 firehouses during the evening hours to cut costs.
"The mayor will soon announce that he wants to close 20 Fire Companies at night, a prelude to closing 20 companies forever."
Fire officials said Bloomberg's proposal to close firehouses is not definite yet.
Republished with permission of The New York Post.
