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Q&A
Impact of congestion pricing on FDNY operations and response times
1:30:17
ยท
146 sec
Commissioner Tucker discusses the challenges posed by congestion pricing on FDNY operations, particularly its impact on firefighters and EMS personnel assigned to work within the congestion pricing zone. While the effect on response times is unclear, the department is addressing issues related to tolls paid by staff commuting to work.
- FDNY is working on multiple fronts to deal with congestion pricing
- A reimbursement function is being put in place for members detailed in and out of the congestion pricing zone
- The department is providing transportation for firefighters who need to move between firehouses across the congestion pricing boundary
Joann Ariola
1:30:17
Yeah.
1:30:17
It's a simple answer.
1:30:20
We all know it.
1:30:23
So congestion pricing.
1:30:25
How does the FDNY anticipate NYC's congestion pricing plan and how will it impact the firefighter response times, particularly in heavily trafficked areas during peak hours?
Robert Tucker
1:30:38
Well, look, congestion pricing is here and we're dealing with it on several fronts.
1:30:48
I don't have a good answer for you on whether it's impacted response times in a positive way or in a negative way.
1:30:59
There's no doubt for us it's a challenge because we assign firefighters and fire officers and EMTs and paramedics in the congestion pricing zone and now they're paying a toll to come to work.
1:31:18
We're certainly hearing about that from our members.
1:31:21
We have had worked closely with the Deputy Mayor for Operations and with OMB and we are putting in place a reimbursement function for those members who we detail in and out of the congestion pricing zone.
1:31:46
But we're working closely with the UFA and UFOA on this.
1:31:54
I think that we're productively having conversations around it.
1:32:02
We have in place a transportation mechanism now for firefighters who require transportation in and out of the congestion pricing zone from their firehouse to the detailed firehouse.
1:32:19
We currently detail about 150 firefighters a day from the home firehouse to either across the floor, we call it, or to another firehouse.
1:32:30
Not always in and out of a district, but there are a lot of details to moving firefighters around so that we have minimum manning.
1:32:39
And congestion pricing is something that we're working with and around.