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Perry Warns Of Dangers Of Neglected Fire Escapes Fire escapes in some Brooklyn residential buildings are blocked by storefront signage, and required inspections by the city are sporadic or non-existent, shows a recent study by Assemblyman Nick Perry. Many other fire escapes are in disrepair and maybe inoperable, according to Perry, and could pose serious risk to the lives of citizens and firefighters, who might enter the building during a fire, when the fire escapes would have served as a more practical and safer means of escape. In the wake of the Deutsche Bank tragedy, where the lives of two firefighters were lost, due in part, to negligent inspection practices by the city, the assemblyman is calling on the city to take action to ensure that all the appropriate city agencies responsible for inspection, and for overseeing the proper maintenance of fire escapes, begin to perform their jobs in a thorough, effective manner, consistent with the rules. "Immediately fire escapes should not be just symbols. They should be usable, if needed in an emergency, and some of the photographs attached will show that the city has been negligent in its responsibility to ensure the safety of its residents," said Perry. "Lack of functioning fire escapes will close off escape routes to residents and force firefighters to enter smoldering and smoking buildings in efforts to save the lives of those who may be trapped inside." There were over 3000 serious fires in New York City last year - a thousand of which occurred in Brooklyn - resulting in 85 civilian related deaths citywide. Perry found that fire escapes should be inspected annually, but city officials admit that they regularly go unexamined for over 18 months, often only being checked when tenants complain. The assemblyman also found that while required inspections are done by these city agencies: FDNY, HPD, and Department of Buildings, the lines are often blurred as to specific responsibility regarding enforcement. Assemblyman Perry recommends that the process of inspection and enforcement be streamlined, so that compliance can be assured, and residents can feel safe in their homes. Perry is the Majority Whip of the New York State Assembly and represents the 58th Assembly District in the East Flatbush, Brownsville and Canarsie neighborhoods.
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