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Scoppetta has issued another Deutsche Bank press release (Click Here). Remember the last one (Click Here) in which he "lifted" the Captain, the Battalion Chief and the Division Chief? Then, Scoppetta acted prematurely without due process and before all of the evidence was before him.  In the current Deutsche Bank press release (Click Here), Scoppetta "declares victory" (we've heard such a false declaration before)  over the FDNY'S inspection process. Scoppetta says

The changes -- which will greatly improve safety for firefighters and the public -- result from a comprehensive review of the FDNY's citywide building inspection program ordered by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on August 27, 2007 in the wake of the deaths of Firefighters Joseph Graffagnino and Robert Beddia during a fire at 130 Liberty Street in Manhattan on August 18, 2007.

 Moreover, Scoppetta takes special pride in announcing that he has changed the name of FDNY's building inspection program to BISP from AFID. Cool name change Scoppetta. BISP is a much  better acronym than AFID.  Bravo on your deftness at nomenclature!  However, didn't you forget something while you were busy thinking about what to name your new baby? The defects in the FDNY's building inspection program that were exposed by the tragic August 18, 2007 fire at the Deutsche Bank Building were that FDNY still lacks a plan to inspect toxic buildings and the local firehouses lack the ability - no training or safety gear - to safely inspect toxic buildings.  I repeat: There is still no toxic building inspection plan and the local firehouses still lack the ability to inspect toxic buildings.  Instead of spending time thinking about new acronyms, how about rectifying the real problem exposed by the Deutsche Bank tragedy.  Until you rectify the real problem,  please don't use the word, "comprehensive". The tragedy that resulted from Deutsche Bank Fire occurred because of its toxicity.  Nothing in your Press Release addresses the toxicity of Deutsche Bank or any of the many toxic buildings within the City of New York.  That you ignore the toxicity problem while at the same time you use the word "comprehensive" leads us to believe that you have no understanding of the true issue. FDNY cannot stroll into a toxic building in their ordinary, everyday gear and without any training.  OSHA regulations as enforced by NYS DOL under PESH do not permit it.  As the leader of FDNY what are you doing to protect your firefighters? Stop issuing press releases and start protecting your firefighters.

Furthermore, at the risk of hurting your feelings, Mr. Scopetta, may we ask in addition, "Where is the plan to fight fires in toxic buildings (Click Here)?  When will we get the Press Release about that? Put your priority on the real problems that have yet to be solved; don't tell us about some silly acronym Scrabble games that you and your tea and crumpet cronies play while locked behind closed doors in your conference room.

FIRE DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK
9 METROTECH CENTER
BROOKLYN, N.Y. 11201-5884
NICHOLAS SCOPPETTA, Fire Commissioner  
www.nyc.gov/fdny

      FIRE COMMISSIONER SCOPPETTA ANNOUNCES CHANGES 
  TO CITYWIDE BUILDING INSPECTION PROGRAM

      More inspection time and technological improvements will increase safety of firefighters and public

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta announced today the implementation of several changes to the Department’s citywide building inspection program. The changes -- which will greatly improve safety for firefighters and the public -- result from a comprehensive review of the FDNY's citywide building inspection program ordered by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on August 27, 2007 in the wake of the deaths of Firefighters Joseph Graffagnino and Robert Beddia during a fire at 130 Liberty Street in Manhattan on August 18, 2007.

“The inspection program is a critical component of ensuring public safety by allowing firefighters to get a first-hand look at buildings before an emergency arises,” Commissioner Scoppetta said. “By increasing inspection time and providing more tools and information to our members, these initial steps will give firefighters a better opportunity to uncover any challenges they may face while fighting fires. What they see could ultimately save their own life or the lives of others.”

The following changes have been added to the program, including the name -- from Apparatus Field Inspection Duty (AFID) to Building Inspection Safety Program (BISP) – to emphasize how safety is directly related to inspection work:

·    Implementation of a third inspection period each week for every field unit, increasing the amount of time – six to nine hours -- units will be scheduled for weekly building inspections. (Less than half of the scheduled inspection time for field units actually gets spent inspecting buildings due to emergency responses, inclement weather, etc.)

·    Creation of a new computer software program which indexes all buildings – more than 75 feet high that are under construction or demolition – for each individual field unit according to their particular area. This program is now tracking inspections and electronically reminds units when their next inspection is due.

·    Added oversight of field inspections by or at the Borough Command level, and additional oversight with compliance measures implemented at FDNY headquarters in Brooklyn.

·    The City’s Department of Buildings now notifies the FDNY of new building or demolition permits issued. That information will be given to field units, which were previously instructed to canvass their areas to learn this information.
        
Other initiatives also are being developed to streamline building information and increase training at every level, including the following which are currently underway:

Computerization – The FDNY is currently working with the City’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications in planning an integration of all of our building inspection information, as well as improved information-sharing with the Department of Buildings and other City agencies.

Partnership with DOB – The FDNY and DOB are partnering on a number of information-sharing initiatives, including the Fast-Track Pilot Program which enables chief officers to enter critical information about buildings directly into the DOB’s Business Information System. This drastically reduces the notification and action time required for DOB officials to address structural concerns that could endanger our members or the public. A pilot program in Divisions 6 and 7 in the Bronx was successful, and soon, it will be expanded to other boroughs.

Increased Training – With the expansion of proby school at the Fire Academy, additional material on fire prevention and inspections has been added to the curriculum. Newly promoted officers at every level also will receive additional training on building inspections in their promotional courses, and a new course is being developed for fire prevention coordinators.