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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Bessie Kimmelfeld on Steam Radiator Safety
1:22:50
ยท
4 min
Bessie Kimmelfeld, mother of Benjamin Zachariah Karowski who died from a steam radiator malfunction, testifies in support of the Ben Z's bill to require inspections of steam radiators in NYC apartments. She emphasizes the tragic deaths of three children due to faulty radiators and urges council members to prioritize children's safety by passing this legislation.
- Kimmelfeld details the deaths of three children, including her 11-month-old son, due to steam radiator malfunctions in NYC apartments.
- She argues that current inspection practices are inadequate, with boilers inspected annually but radiators left unchecked.
- The testimony includes a powerful emotional appeal, asking council members to consider how they would react if it was their own family affected by such a tragedy.
Bessie Kimmelfeld
1:22:50
Hi.
1:22:50
My name is Betsy Kimmoldfeld.
1:22:53
I'm going to speak today on behalf of my son, Benjamin Karowski, who passed away in January 19 2024.
1:23:01
A total of 3 children have died from a steam radiator malfunction in their New York City apartment.
1:23:08
Sialy Ambrose, age 1, Ibanes the Ambrose, age 2, Benjamin, Benjamin Zacharia, 11 months, just days away from celebrating his 1st year birthday party.
1:23:20
The baby's deaths occurred inside of the apartment through no fault of the tenants occupying the residences.
1:23:28
The deaths occurred from Forest Team radiator maintenance.
1:23:31
As of now, boilers are inspected on an annual basis.
1:23:35
However, steam radiators are untouched and not even examined or looked at by anyone.
1:23:41
A superintended is often unqualified to determine any real underlying problem and often lacks the expertise needed to replace different essential parts of the radiator.
1:23:54
New York City tenants deserve to live.
1:23:56
No one, especially not a child or a baby, should die in the comfort of their own home from a steam radiator that is supposed to provide warm throughout the cold winter months.
1:24:06
If it was your own son, grandson, nephew, or best friend's child, or your own daughter, granddaughter, niece, and you got a call in the morning that they were found dead from a steam radiator in the home, Would you take any steps to ensure this doesn't happen again?
1:24:20
Would you say it was a freak accident and go about your date, or would you do something about it?
1:24:29
Some bills require careful analysis to consider the pros and cons, but saving children's lives only has pros.
1:24:37
If you see a father or a mother holding their lifeless child in their arms in a movie you cry, you feel the pain and despair in the parents' eyes and souls, but our life isn't a movie.
1:24:48
Our lives along with the Ambrose's are utterly destroyed and no no individual regardless of rank gets to dismiss a loss of human life as something that was merely a freak accident.
1:25:00
Labeling the loss of a human life in this manner is insulting and degrading.
1:25:05
This wasn't a drunk driver that lost control.
1:25:07
Bin Yemen wasn't on the road at eighty miles an hour.
1:25:11
With his family, he was in the safest place in this world.
1:25:15
He was in his own home and his own bed, his ultimate safe space.
1:25:18
It's because of the lack of necessary inspections that the safest place in the world turned into the most dangerous steaming a room to 212 degrees, as acknowledged by the FDNY fire marshal at the scene, saying it appears that the room reached a temperature of 212 to 215 Degrees Fahrenheit.
1:25:39
Not signing is a decision.
1:25:40
Inaction is still an intentional act.
1:25:43
Not doing the right thing is a contentious conscious decision that is made with intent.
1:25:49
We boldly and truthfully say that if one is against approving a bill that is designed to prioritize the safety, the physical safety of New York City Children, then they are choosing to dismiss the value of human life.
1:26:01
Whether it's one life or 1,000,000 lives, We've lost 3 to a steam radiator.
1:26:07
How many more lives are you waiting on to be lost and taken before you decide that children are worth protecting?
1:26:13
How many children need to die before the right laws are in place?
1:26:19
Many often say that certain things are out of conveyor control, but here today, it is in your control.
1:26:24
You had the opportunity to listen to the Benzy bill.
1:26:27
You heard the the details, and now you understand this purpose.
1:26:31
Is to prioritize human life.
1:26:33
Its purpose is to protect children from experiencing the fate of 3 babies so far and the eternal nightmare that their families now have to live in for the rest of their lives.
1:26:44
Where do you stand on the issue of human life?
1:26:47
What decision will you make?
1:26:49
Will you take passion and advocacy and use it in the most important way possible?
1:26:53
Will you use your advocacy to destroy or to build?
1:26:56
Will you use your ability to reject or approve?
1:26:59
Will you use your ability today to ignore or acknowledge and vow change?
1:27:04
What decision will you make today?