Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
Q&A
Addressing communication challenges in high-rise buildings
0:39:18
ยท
118 sec
Council Member Marmorato raises concerns about radio interference in high-rise buildings, drawing parallels to communication issues during 9/11. Chief Esposito explains improvements made since then and future plans.
- FDNY has greatly improved communications since 9/11, including the implementation of the auxiliary radio communication system (ARCS)
- The department is proposing ARCS 2.0 to eliminate interference issues
- New plans requiring code revisions will improve communications in high-rise and large area buildings
Kristy Marmorato
0:39:18
Okay.
0:39:18
Thank you.
0:39:19
Now let's talk about the auxiliary radio communications.
0:39:25
I've seen reports that there's interference in high rise buildings and firefighters are unable to communicate.
0:39:30
Now this really upsets me because I remember during nine eleven that my father was telling me that they had the same issues.
0:39:36
I think it was 18 Truckin by Pitt and Delancey that they knew something was wrong.
0:39:42
And I think the lieutenant at the time, he told me a story that because there was no communication, he decided to make that decision to get his guys out, and, you know, it did end up saving their lives.
0:39:52
Why is this still happening, and how can we make it better?
John Esposito
0:39:56
So after 09:11, and you're absolutely correct, on 09/11/2001, we were severely handicapped with our communications ability in the World Trade Center.
0:40:08
Since that, our communications have greatly improved, including the auxiliary radio communication system, which is in the fire code that high rise buildings need to install this in their buildings.
0:40:23
What we have learned as the years have gone on is that we have better ways to improve our communications.
0:40:32
So the fire department is proposing ARCS two point o, which will eliminate that interference that occasionally occurs.
0:40:42
The interference occurs when a system in one building is turned on and we're trying to operate in another building.
0:40:49
It is possible for it to happen.
0:40:51
It has not hampered our our efforts fighting fire, but to avoid that, we have subsequent we have other plans that will require code revision that will make it easier for the fire department and easier for the building owners and still yield the result that we want, which is great communications in high rise buildings and large large area buildings.
Kristy Marmorato
0:41:16
Yeah.