Highrise firefighting issue highlighted in Yonkers

[helicopper 1,050]

Interesting follow-up to similar threads about White Plains and New Rochelle highrises and highrise tactics posted here in the past. The environmental impact statement calls for the developer to support two new fire companies being added to the City as a result of their buildings. Do other cities have the same provisions?

Yonkers firefighters raise qualms over high-rise plan

By Len Maniace

The Journal News • September 4, 2008

YONKERS - The city firefighters union is raising concerns over the department's ability to safely battle a fire at the 61-story River Park Center, the massive redevelopment project that would be built next to City Hall.

Yonkers Fire Fighters President Hugh Fox Jr. says a plan to expand the department by two companies is not adequate. He wants assurances that firefighters will get the specialized training and equipment needed to battle high-rise blazes.

The SFC's final environmental impact statement says the developer is expected to pick up 25 percent of the cost of the two new fire companies, or $1.2 million annually, plus a one-time cost for outfitting the companies of $450,000.

[Bnechis 3,961]

Interesting follow-up to similar threads about White Plains and New Rochelle highrises and highrise tactics posted here in the past. The environmental impact statement calls for the developer to support two new fire companies being added to the City as a result of their buildings. Do other cities have the same provisions?

Nope. The EIS system can be manipulated in many ways. One of the best is to claim that an issue (safety, noise, traffic, etc.) will have no significant impact, then if the review agency (city council) does not question it, then its swept under the rug.

can anyone define "significant impact"?