Fire Patrol Is Ordered to Shut Down Next Month

[Guest]

September 18, 2006

Fire Patrol Is Ordered to Shut Down Next Month

By CONRAD MULCAHY

THE NEW YORK TIMES

After two centuries, the New York Fire Patrol has been told to close its doors for good.

According to a letter dated Aug. 4 from the New York Board of Fire Underwriters to James Nuñez, the president of the union that represents the patrol members, Oct. 14 will be the last day that the “patrolios,†as they refer to themselves, will perform their salvage duties.

On Oct. 15, “each of the facilities will close in its entirety,†said the letter, signed by Gregory V. Serio, the patrol’s interim administrator.

The patrol, underwritten by the insurance industry, works in the wake of the Fire Department, salvaging property and limiting the damage at blazes in commercial buildings.

The Board of Fire Underwriters is the insurance industry organization that underwrites the Fire Patrol, and relations between it and the patrol have been strained, with each side accusing the other of management failures.

The main point of contention has long been whether the patrol could justify its $8.5 million annual budget.

The 80 or so remaining patrolmen — there are no longer any women — contend that their salvage activities save an estimated $10 million annually in insurance claims. However, a 2005 report by Park Strategies, former Senator Alfonse M. D’Amato’s consulting firm, said those claims were difficult to substantiate.

“Even the lightest scratch of the veneer reveals that there is little substance behind these figures,†the report stated. Despite 11th-hour negotiations to preserve the patrol, “this action is expected to be permanent,†Mr. Serio’s letter said.

Members of the patrol have been forbidden by the Board of Fire Underwriters from talking to the press or the public about the closing. However, leaders of the union that represents the patrol are permitted to comment, and they voiced frustration over what they called a lack of communication from the board.

“We’re being completely kept in the dark,†said Eric Shultz, a patrolman and the union vice president. “The only thing we’re being told is that we’re not working after the 15th.â€

Neither Mr. Serio nor Richard R. Heffernan, the chief of the patrol, responded to requests for comment.

However, one person who has been involved in the closing, Ellen Melchionni, the vice president of the New York Insurance Association, a lobbying group, said, “If they were saving somebody money, somebody would fund them.â€

Francis X. Gribbon, the Fire Department’s chief spokesman, said in an e-mail statement: “This is an unfortunate situation. The New York City Fire Department has had a long history with the Fire Patrol and recognizes that its members provide a valuable service to the city. But regrettably, this is not our decision.â€

The patrol has three stations from which its members travel to fires, two in Manhattan and one in Brooklyn. The patrolmen, who earn about $46,000 a year, say the closing is more than the loss of jobs for them, it’s the loss of an institution.

More vocal opposition to the closing came yesterday when about 100 people attended a rally on West Third Street, outside the Fire Patrol 2 station house. Patrolman Keith Roma, who died responding to the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, had been stationed there.

Arnie Roma, Patrolman Roma’s father, was at yesterday’s rally. He described how his son’s body was found in the wreckage of the north tower on Christmas Day 2001. The body was with the bodies of nine civilians, and Mr. Roma believes his son was trying to lead them to safety.

“What did he die for that day?†Mr. Roma asked. “Give me a chance to save this.â€

[SFRD49 8]

Now that we're less than two weeks from the 15th has there been any progress on keeping the Patrol open?

SFRD49

[JAD622 40]

Now that we're less than two weeks from the 15th has there been any progress on keeping the Patrol open?

SFRD49

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From what I have read on their website www.fpny123.net they go before the city council tomorrow 10/4 night. As far as I know, it doesn't look good for them. Unfortunately, the insurance companies are far too powerful in this country. It's a shame to loose the Fire Patrol and almost 100 good guys will loose their jobs! I'll keep my fingers crossed.........................

[Guest]

Pol: Fire Patrol shutdown will cost NYC

By Justin Rocket Silverman

amNewYork Staff Writer

October 5, 2006

The demise of New York City's Fire Patrol is just days away, but it appears there's little anyone can do to save the little-known but some say vital 200-year-old institution.

A City Council hearing Wednesday lamented the impending closing of the patrol, whose crews work to limit damage at large commercial fires after the FDNY has brought the flames under control.

Few New Yorkers may know of its existence, but a councilman testified they'll notice its loss - on their insurance bills.

"The bottom line is that New York is going to pay higher premiums if we don't have a Fire Patrol," said Councilman Miguel Martinez (D-Manhattan). "We just have to look at Chicago and other cities to see how premiums have gone up in the absence of a fire patrol."

Patrol crews lay tarps to protect merchandise and computer equipment from water and smoke damage.

They estimate they save insurance companies $100 million a year in lost property claims, but insurance companies, represented by the board of underwriters, no longer want to pay its $8.8 million annual operating budget.

"The companies that had been supporting the Fire Patrol [doubt] continued existence of the Fire Patrol remains economically and operationally prudent," said Gregory Sergio, a consultant with the NY Board of Fire Underwriters, which funds the patrol.

New York's fire patrol is the last one in the nation, and operates out of stations in the West Village, midtown and Brooklyn.

A number of current and former city firefighters testified Wednesday on behalf of the patrol, but Martinez emphasized there is nothing the City Council can do to force the board of underwriters to continue funding.

He did say the council would write a letter to the state attorney general requesting a review of the board's tax-exempt status.

More than 150 fire patrolmen and support personnel stand to lose their jobs when the stations close on Oct. 15.

"Many fire patrolmen have over 20 or 30 years of service," said Patrolman Richard Heddernan, a 33-year veteran. "While fire salvage work is not a glamorous part of firefighting, it is a very important part, and these men have dedicated their working lives to it." 

[JBE 328]

While it's a shame that the Patrol will unfortunately be going away, I wonder what the ramifications of this will be from FDNY side of the equation. Ladder Co. availability takes a hit because of requests for salvage, or possibly the return of the old Salvage Corps.