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Interagency communication after fires and vacate orders

1:08:21

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146 sec

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Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez inquires about the communication processes between agencies (FDNY, DOB, and HPD) after a fire and vacate order. She seeks to understand if there's a central location for agencies to share information about specific fire incidents.

FDNY Chief John Esposito explains that they have access to DOB's BIS system to view DOB actions, but FDNY's involvement usually ends after the fire marshal investigation.
DOB Deputy Commissioner Yigal Shemash describes their role in working with owners and professionals on repair applications and enforcements.
The discussion highlights the separate roles of each agency and the lack of a centralized communication system.

Jennifer Gutiérrez

1:08:21

Can I ask, and this is for everybody, because the the intent of the the portal is to not just provide orientation for tenants but for for homeowners who are also like in many ways falling to predatory practices to be able to get a response from like DP or DOB for example?

1:08:44

I had a homeowner who experienced a very traumatic fire a year and a half ago and I've been meeting with them and they desperately want to get their tenants back in the building but have had to fire had to hire like legal representation that they don't love just because they can't get responses from agencies.

1:09:01

So can I just get a sense from from every agency that's here after a fire, after let's say there's a vacate order, tenants have been removed from from the dwelling, is there communication between the agencies and is there like a central location where you all know, okay, FDNY has spoken to DOB or is there is there a place for you to under is there a something that exists for you to know how other agencies are speaking about this particular fire?

1:09:29

And is that would that be helpful?

1:09:43

That they've been in the building.

1:10:09

You don't have to come back.

1:10:18

Mhmm.

1:10:18

And then for DOB and HPD for example, do you all need to keep talking?

John Esposito

1:09:33

For the fire department, we have access to DOBs b b I

1:09:40

s.

1:09:40

Yeah.

1:09:41

The b BIS.

1:09:42

So we're able to see

1:09:45

We're able to see the DOB actions on it.

1:09:48

But, generally, after a fire, the fire department doesn't issue the vacate.

1:09:52

Generally, it's a structural stability issue.

1:09:55

If there's a vacate, DOB will, you know, will issue it.

1:10:01

Once the fire marshal investigation, if there is one, is complete, that usually finishes the fire department's involvement.

1:10:10

We generally after maybe a day, generally we would not be back once the investigation is is complete.

Andrew Sokolof Diaz

1:09:40

b I

Yigal Shemash

1:10:24

In terms department buildings, we work with the owners, professionals, whether that's an architect or an engineer, professional engineer, making sure the the applications for the repairs are coming in and making sure that that they are proceeding with the work.

1:10:43

If not, we could go with enhanced enforcements like the assistant commissioner said.

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DOB representatives explain procedures for enforcing repairs after fires

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Tenant and homeowner access to information after fires