Mayor Bloomberg Signs Legislation Requiring the Fire Department to Provide Reports on Response Times

December 17, 2013

Remarks by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

“The next bill before me is Introductory Number 143-A, sponsored by Council Members Fidler, Dromm, Ferreras, Gentile, Gonzalez, James, Koppell, Nelson, Reyna, Rodriguez, Williams, Crowley, Weprin, Vallone, Cabrera, Garodnick, Eugene, Vann, Koo, Van Bramer, Chin, Gennaro, Greenfield, Jackson, Halloran and Oddo.

“This legislation requires the Fire Department to submit a monthly report to the City Council detailing average response times for a variety of emergency responses from when a 911 operator is called to when a responding ambulance or fire truck arrives at the scene.

“This legislation is named in honor of Ariel Russo, a young girl who was tragically struck by a vehicle and died. Ariel’s parents are with us this afternoon and I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to them for their loss.

“I would also like to thank Fire Department Commissioner Salvatore Cassano and his staff for their work on this bill along with my office of City Legislative Affairs. I would also like to thank the City Council for approving this legislation.”

Contact:

Marc LaVorgna/Evelyn Erskine (212) 788-2958