Q&A
Discussion on brush fire task force and FDNY's equipment needs
0:42:33
ยท
153 sec
Council Member Ariola inquires about the budget implications of the newly created brush fire task force. FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods explains the task force's three phases and highlights the need for additional resources and equipment to fight brush fires effectively.
- Task force has three phases: pre-fire, post-fire, and ongoing operations
- FDNY needs more brush fire units throughout the city
- Current equipment (structural firefighting hose) is not ideal for brush fires
- Additional funding is needed for specialized equipment and lighter gear for firefighters
Joann Ariola
0:42:33
though.
0:42:34
My next and and I appreciate that.
0:42:35
And you always do get the information to us, and I wanna thank you for that.
0:42:40
Also, when talking about the newly created brush fire task force, which I think is a tremendous idea since we're having all these issues, what is that going to mean, budget wise?
0:42:55
Like, just an example, if you have, as to what type of money you'd need from us as a body during the the budget process to really fund and get you that smaller equipment that you spoke about and actually have more of these locations where the brush fire response teams can be located in other parts of the city?
Kevin Woods
0:43:19
Thank you for that question.
0:43:21
So there are three phases to this, task force.
0:43:26
There's pre fire, post fire, and then ongoing operations.
0:43:30
So pre fire is more of an education and a surveillance.
0:43:35
We, education through our fire safety education unit and social media, and post fire, of course, has caused an investigation.
0:43:43
The ongoing operations is what we're talking about here.
0:43:47
Our fire operations for brush fires.
0:43:50
So we need more brush fire units throughout the city.
0:43:53
5 of them are on Staten Island.
0:43:55
The others the other 3 or 4 scattered throughout the city.
0:43:58
We had to, activate multiple reserve pumpers to, handle the amount of brush fires that we had.
0:44:06
And, as chief Esposito already mentioned, we not everybody has this 1 inch forestry hose.
0:44:13
We're using structural firefighting hose to extinguish brushfires.
0:44:19
Now if we have to stretch that hose from a distance, it's very labor intensive.
0:44:24
We're pulling not only brushfire.
0:44:25
We we have, 2nd alarm, 3rd alarm brushfire unit brushfires.
0:44:30
We are pulling multiple engine and ladder companies from throughout the city to fight this fire, and it's taking longer.
0:44:37
And it's, affecting coverage in other areas of the city with this apparatus.
0:44:43
So, absolutely, council member, we, need additional brush fire units or at least, look at the technology that's out there and also the, brush fire hose and lightweight equipment.
0:44:58
Our members are fighting fires in bunker gear, so we need lighter equipment as well.
0:45:03
So, yes.
0:45:04
Any any funding, we'd appreciate it.