Chaudhuri Mahmood testifies on FDNY CAD systems and independent audit
Public witness Chaudhuri Mahmood, an FDNY Bureau of Enterprise Technology employee, testifies that the fire and EMS CAD dispatch systems are managed through a $21 million sole-source arrangement with Accenture without competitive bidding or independent quality assurance. He says operational failures were not publicly discussed and asks the committee to require an independent audit and create a protected reporting channel for FDNY technology employees.
Thank you.
Good morning, Chair and distinguished members of the Committee of the Fire and EMS Management.
My name is Chaudhuri Mahmood.
I am a permanent computer specialist at FD&I Bureau of Enterprise Technology with 12 years of service and active certification at IT Audit.
Security management and project management and I want to note that I have previously submitted written testimony to the council, to the committee of technology, to the committee of oversight investigation and the committee of civil service and labor.
However, documented the same concern I raised today.
Those testimony are on the public record.
What I am describing is not historical.
It is the current ongoing situation at FD&I Bureau of Enterprise Technology and as of whole and FD&Y as a public safety agency.
So this the dispatch system I am questioning are running right now.
I am here because nothing has changed and because the committee has directly justified over the outcomes.
On technology and AI in emergency management, technology and AI hold real promise, faster dispatch, predictive resource deployment, better situational awareness.
But the promise only works with proper governance and independent testing.
Right now, FDNY2 primary dispatch system, those
are fire cat for fire apparatus and EMS cat for EMS ambulances and all
are managed through a 21 million combined sole source arrangement with Accenture with no competitive resolution and no independent quality assurance.
This system have experienced documented operational failures.
These failures were not publicly discussed.
The internal QA function that identifies and escalated those failures was eliminated.
Tom has expired.
Do you want to just quickly wrap up?
Yes, I do.
I do.
I do.
So my ask is simple.
Require an independent audit on fire and EMS CAD before an internal proceedings.
Establish a protected reported channel for the FDNY technology employees.
Report those failures and procurement concerns directly to the committee without fear.
The system that dispatches fire engines and ambulances in that city must work.
The people who ensure those work must be protected when they say they don't.
Thank you.
I am done.
Thank you so very much for your testimony.