REMARKS
Council members Ariola and Krishnan introduce the hearing on brush fires in NYC parks
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Council Members Joann Ariola and Shekar Krishnan open a joint hearing of the NYC City Council committees on Parks and Recreation and Fire and Emergency Management to discuss preventing brush fires in parks. Ariola emphasizes the importance of addressing brush fire risks in NYC parks, especially during periods of drought, and expresses interest in learning about FDNY's operations and preventative measures.
- Ariola draws parallels to recent brush fires in California to highlight the potential dangers.
- The hearing aims to explore how the city can better prepare for preventing and fighting brush fires in parks and wooded areas.
- Krishnan briefly introduces the next speaker, Council Member Williams, who will present her bill related to the topic.
Joann Ariola
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Thank you, chair chair Krishnan.
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I am proud to cochair this this hearing with you today.
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As stated, my name is Joanne Areola.
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I'm the council member and chairperson of the committee on fire and emergency management.
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As we saw during recent tragedies that unfolded in California, fast spreading brush fires present unique challenges to firefighters and other emergency responders.
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We witnessed the extreme damage to life and property that can occur and thanks to our brave first responders who valiantly overcame harsh conditions to contain the fires covering large swaths of area in Los Angeles, they were under control.
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Here in New York City, brush fires occurring this fall in city parks demonstrated that even here, in a largely dense urban environment, the risk of brush fires are real and must be taken seriously during periods of extreme drought.
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I'm eager to explore how the city can best prepare for preventing and fighting brush fires that can occur in our city parks and other wooded areas throughout the city.
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Specifically, I'm interested in hearing more about the FDNY's operations to combat brush fires that have occurred recently in our city parks, examine the preventative measures we can take during periods of drought to mitigate fire risks.
0:09:55
We look forward to hearing the testimony from the administration.
0:09:59
Thank you all for coming.
Shekar Krishnan
0:10:02
Thank you so much, chair Areola, and I appreciate this joint hearing together on this important issue.
0:10:07
Before going further into it, I'd also like to recognize, that we've been joined by council member Zhuang.
0:10:12
And now I'm gonna turn it over to council member Williams, for her statement on her, bill that we're hearing today.