Requires written request and review of proposed reductions in the level of fire services

Summary of provisions

Section 1 of the bill amends section 204-d of the general municipal law by renumbering and creating a new subdivision concerning "reduction of fire services; prior approval required".

This new section requires that in cities with a population of over one hundred thousand people, the highest ranking fire official shall provide written request with supporting documentation prior to the permanent closing of any firehouse or the permanent removal of relocation of any fire fighting unit to the council members, community boards and borough presidents whose districts are served by such facility and the chair person of the council's public safety committee or chairperson of the committee with oversight of fire services.

The written request must include an environmental impact statement.

The proposed closure is subject to consecutive 30 day review periods by community boards and borough presidents whose districts are affected by closure.

If any or all of the affected community boards or borough presidents support the proposal, the council will have 30 days to review and a majority vote will be required to approve the measure.

If all of the affected community boards and borough presidents oppose the proposal the council will have 30 days to review and a 2/3 majority vote will be required to approve the measure.

If the permanent closing does not occur with four months of approval, the Commissioner will be required to issue another request pursuant to the requirements of this section.

Section 2 provides for this act to take effect immediately.

Justification

The proposed closure of 20 firehouses by New York city Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2011 poses a significant safety threat to the citizens of New York city and such extreme actions should not be allowed to occur without a complete and transparent review of the potential effects of such closure and without the approval of the city council.

Therefore, this legislation is necessary to give community boards, borough presidents and the city council an opportunity to thoroughly review requests from the Fire Commissioner that provide a detailed analyses in an environmental impact statement setting forth the current and projected response times if a closing were allowed including geographic and traffic analyses as they effect response times, the current and projected allocation of resources, including staffing levels in the firehouses or unit in the districts affected by closure, and the distance of other firehouses or units in the area affected by closure.

In the event that any or all of the affected community boards or borough presidents support the proposal, the council will have 30 days to review and a only majority vote will be required to approve the measure. However, if all of the affected community boards and borough presidents oppose the proposal, the council will have 30 days to review and a 2/3 majority vote will be required to approve the measure.

Prior legislative history

2011-12: S.5662/A.8477 (Braunstein) 2013-14: S455/A.917(Braunstein) 2015: A.771-A (Braunstein)

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.