A group of Yonkers firefighters and residents protested Sunday the city?s plans to close down a ladder company.

Firefighters say Ladder Company 75 at Fire Station 12 on Fortfield Avenue in Yonkers has been operating for 78 years, but the city announced plans to shut it down as part of an effort to fill a $16 million budget gap.

"There [are] other things they could find cuts on instead of the people we need in this city," says Barbara DeStefano, of Yonkers.

Union representatives say they plan to attend numerous City Council meetings to urge Mayor Phil Amicone to reconsider shutting down the ladder company.