Meet the EHS Fire Safety Oversight Team

The Fire Safety Oversight Team in NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHS) knows the importance of fire safety. The team’s five Fire Safety Specialists, led by a Team Administrator, are certified fire safety professionals with a combined 60 years of fire safety experience. In addition to ensuring that the Authority complies with all applicable fire safety codes, they 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.

According to the Team’s Administrator Johnny Cortes: “The in-person and on-the-spot support we provide to staff helps ensure compliance with regulations. In the coming year, I look forward to creating more opportunities for engaging residents and meeting with development staff to further strengthen the culture of safety within the organization. To promote a culture of safety, we must all work together and foster open communication between staff, residents, and our fellow City agencies.”

National Burn Awareness Week

Fire safety awareness is the best way to prevent fires. In recognition of Burn Awareness Week, which is every February, the Fire Safety Oversight Team would like to inform the NYCHA community that fires are not the only burn hazard – household chemicals, boiling water, and electrical appliances can also cause burns. The focus of this year’s Burn Awareness Week is electrical safety, which involves protecting electrical outlets, using extension cords properly, and other safety measures that you can learn more about at the American Burn Association’s website. By learning about and taking the necessary precautions in our home, we can ensure a safe environment for our family.