Ariola raises street closures and Local Law 6 with FDNY
Ariola says street redesigns and closures increase response times and cites a Cortelyou Road project where the local firehouse objected. Esposito says FDNY submitted the firehouse's feedback to DOT but does not have veto power; Ariola says Local Law 6 requires that input and she will follow up.
Causes response times to go up and that are that street closures.
Ambulance companies and fire companies are reporting instances where emergency responses are impacted by street closures.
We've had discussions about specific streets, specific stations where complaints have been received.
However, there's currently a street redesign
on Cortellu Road in Brooklyn.
The administration has stated that the local firehouse, which the DOT is required to get input from on that project, had many objections to the project that would affect the emergency response and public safety and their response times.
Our office alerted you.
But DOT is moving along with the project as originally presented.
When was the last time you brought these objections to DOT's attention?
And have you asked why they're continuing to move forward with this particular project, even though the safety of the people in the area would be at risk?
So in accordance with city regulation, the local law six, we did reach out to the local fire company.
We did get their feedback and comments.
That was provided to Department of Transportation.
They are aware of our concerns, but as you know, we don't have veto power on that.
You do through Local Law 6.
It has to be approved by the local firehouse.
That was a bill I passed.
So they need input.
Input should be adhered to because the input says we will not be able to traverse this street if it is reconfigured, whether closed or bike lane or any type of
reconfiguration of a street.
It will impede our ability to get to a fire or any other public safety issue quickly and efficiently.
And it will impede our response times and impede our ability.
We see it all the time where...
Big rigs, big fire rigs are unable to make a turn because there's a street closure or they have to put the ladder across the street because one side of the street is closed.
So that's what Local 06 was all about.
So this was a specific issue where the input from the firehouse at Cortillia Street said we cannot do our job as effectively.
If this street configuration is changed.
So local laws is still in effect.
It's not, I know that it's, the mayor's looking to
First that with a referendum, but as of right now, the FDMY can push back with DOT.
We make our concerns known.
We share that information from the firehouse with DOT and DOT proceeds.
Have you spoken to the local council person in that area?
I have not.
Perhaps I'll have that conversation.
Thank you.