FDNY Says Alteration Bill Would Save Lives

[Guest BrotherFF]

I think this is an excellent idea, and Westchester muncipalities should be considering the same....I hope some fire chiefs and commisioners read this and go to their mayor and building department.......

FDNY says bill would save lives of city, BX firefighters 

NEWS 12 BRONX (05/10/07) THE BRONX - Firefighters say a new measure passed by the City Council will save lives in the Bronx and the rest of the city.

The bill requires the city's Department of Buildings to tell the FDNY when a building is altered or a floor plan changes. If the bill becomes law, firefighters say it will allow them to know about recent construction, building layouts and additions. Currently, the fire department is only informed about permits related to the installation of sprinkler and alarm systems.

The FDNY says the proposed law could have saved two firefighters who died in a Bronx fire last year. The pair fell into the basement when the floor gave way. The fire department said it wasn't aware the building had structural issues and didn't take precautions that could have prevented the deaths.