But the leaders of unions representing firefighters and officers sharply criticized the appointment, saying it would hurt morale.

Five pension funds, representing teachers, police officers, firefighters and other employees, would then invest another $200 million each.

Unions representing firefighters and officers have long fought for the equipment, which some believe might have prevented the latest deaths.

The firefighter escaped, but since then, the unions that represent firefighters and fire officers have accused fire officials of ignoring previous warnings about the radios.

From the time it was first proposed, the program has been resisted by the unions that represent firefighters and fire officers.

A group representing black firefighters objected to the hiring.

Officials for the two unions that represent uniformed firefighters said this latest reduction set off feelings of hurt and betrayal among many firefighters.

Instead, he invokes the attack to pay tribute to municipal workers who perished; he is backed by the union representing firefighters.

Mr. Cuomo acknowledged that his proposal might run into opposition from unions representing police officers and firefighters.

The second stumbling block is negotiations with unions representing teachers, the police and firefighters.