Q&A
FDNY task force for brush fires and associated budgetary needs
1:15:59
ยท
105 sec
Council Member De La Rosa inquires about the FDNY task force created to address brush fires and the budgetary enhancements necessary for its effectiveness. Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods discusses the department's needs and challenges in responding to brush fires.
- FDNY aims to be innovative with technology, including the use of drones
- The department needs new brush fire apparatus, as the current fleet is very old
- Additional lightweight hose and specialized brush fire gear are required
- Current firefighting methods for brush fires are labor-intensive and reduce fire protection in adjoining communities
- Council Member De La Rosa expresses hope for receiving specific budget numbers for the department's needs
Carmen N. De La Rosa
1:15:59
It was announced in November 2024, and obviously, you testified to this that the FDNY would be creating a task force to address to address bushfires across the city.
1:16:09
What budgetary enhancements are necessary for, in your opinion, for the task force to be effect to effectively prevent and response to fires?
Kevin Woods
1:16:22
So again, regarding the task force, we would like to, be very innovative in the FDNY regarding our technology with our drones and, of course, with our equipment
Vickie Paladino
1:16:34
Mhmm.
Kevin Woods
1:16:35
And apparatus.
1:16:37
The brush fire apparatus, there, are many new types of brush fire apparatus models.
1:16:43
Our brush fire apparatus fleet is very old.
Carmen N. De La Rosa
1:16:45
Mhmm.
Kevin Woods
1:16:46
And, our lightweight hose, we need additional lightweight hose and we also need possibly lightweight, brush fire gear.
1:16:57
We are fighting these fires in bunker gear and, again, using structural firefighting hose.
1:17:03
And it's very labor intensive and it takes more staffing and, it's reducing the fire protection in the adjoining communities as we're sending multiple units to these brush fires that are expanding very quickly because we can't get ahead of it in time.
Carmen N. De La Rosa
1:17:20
I had a really good meeting with commissioner Tucker, and it was very refreshing to hear his take on some of the needs of the department.
1:17:28
I I do hope that you will get back to us under the chair under the leadership of Chair Arriola in the fire emergency management side, on what the actual numbers are for the needs for the department, as we go into the budget fights that are, to come.