Local officials say /*Ladder Company 161*/ is crucial to the safety of residents and visitors of /*Coney Island*/ and /*Brighton Beach*/.
But it's one of eight fire companies, just in Brooklyn, that could be shuttered under /*Mayor Bloomberg*/'s budget proposal.
Opponents say closing the fire company would slow down response times and put lives at risk.
"What's more important than ensuring, God forbid, that in case of a fire, that our men and women that are members of New York's bravest, are able to respond as quickly as possible? Every second counts," Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said.
No final decision has been made yet on any fire company closings.
The city council and the mayor are still negotiating the budget for 2012 which begins on July 1.
