Brooks-Powers calls for identifying gaps in isolated-community emergency response
Brooks-Powers praises FDNY and EMTs but worries they must rely on mainland resources to reach the Rockaways. She questions whether Red Cross services are sufficient for displaced families and hopes the hearing will identify gaps that lead to internal reforms or Council legislation.
The FDNY.
I, the EMTs, they have been tremendous to my community and their service to us.
And quite frankly, I worry about them when they have to respond also to these crises because we depend on mainland resources to be able to get to us.
When we talk about Red Cross and what services they provide, I think we need to revisit what, quite frankly, is sufficient in moments like this where we have.
Dozens of families that end up being displaced, and just being able to respond much more quickly.
And so I hope in the questions today we're able to identify where some of the gaps may be that could spark either internal reform within these agencies and response
divisions or prompt legislation on the council side to be able to provide the direction that may be needed.
So again, I thank you for the opportunity, Chair, to bring this important conversation to the public.