Bill Promotes Safety for Fire Department

WNYC News | Jul 12, 2010

New York, NY —

The Fire Department will now be immediately notified when a building is given a permit for major renovations, thanks to a unanimous City Council vote yesterday.

REPORTER: The legislation is a response to an incident in the Bronx last year that left 2 firefighters dead when they fell through a floor fighting a fire in a building with structural problems. Council Speaker Christine Quinn says the information gives firefighters better tools to help them avoid injury or death.

QUINN: If God forbid, they have to run into that building one day when its on fire - they have a little better sense of what they can expect. They know before the moment when they show up, that work is going on.

REPORTER: Currently, the Department of Buildings only informs the FDNY when permits are issued for sprinkler and alarm systems. Mayor Bloomberg is expected to sign the bill into law.

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