EHS Fire Safety Oversight Team Honored for Exemplary Customer Service

On October 6, the NYCHA Environmental Health and Safety Department’s Fire Safety Oversight Team (FSOT) was recognized with this year’s Excellence in Customer Service Award from the Mayor’s Office of Operations. 

The annual awards, which are presented across City agencies, recognize “outstanding City workers and teams that demonstrate their dedication and commitment to New York City through their customer service achievements.” Representing NYCHA in the group category, the FSOT was honored for its exemplary service to residents and staff in enhancing awareness of all fire safety issues. Mayor Eric Adams met with the team during a ceremony at NYPD headquarters, where City employees gathered for a celebration of customer service that featured the theme “New York City: We’re Back!”   

The FSOT includes Administrator Johnny Cortes; Senior FSOT Specialist Rathjerry Yok; Fire Safety Specialists Christian Silva, Donald Williams, and Pierre JeanFrancois; and Associate Fire Protection Inspector Anthony Saint Jean. The certified fire safety professionals have a combined 60 years of fire safety experience. 

In addition to ensuring that the Authority complies with all applicable fire safety codes, the FSOT members help NYCHA staff identify and address any potential fire hazards. They also conduct inspections to verify compliance with safety mandates, oversee inspections of fire suppression systems, and investigate any fire safety concerns that are submitted to NYCHA. 

To learn more about the work of FSOT, view this photo essay. 

Photo caption: Fire Safety Oversight Team members (from left) Christian Silva, Donald Williams, Pierre JeanFrancois, Anthony Saint Jean, and Johnny Cortes celebrate their customer service award with Mayor Eric Adams (third from right).