ROOSEVELT ISLAND, Stuck bridge fuels fire fears, After losing access, FDNY to employ full-time engine company on island until after convention: [CITY Edition]

The Fire Department said Friday that it would increase protection on Roosevelt Island on weekends until the Republican National Convention is over.

It took the action after a mechanical problem Thursday evening on the bridge to Queens left the Fire Department without vehicular access to the island for two hours.

For security reasons, the U.S. Coast Guard has been diverting pleasure boats off the main West Channel of the East River to the East Channel, which the bridge spans, between the island and Queens.

The only vehicular route on or off the island is the 50-year-old bridge, and the span is now opened more often to allow large pleasure boats to pass, the department said.

The department said that, starting Friday night, it would staff a full-time engine company on Roosevelt Island on weekends - when pleasure-boat traffic is heaviest - until it...