Recognizing NYCHA’s OMAR Staff

On June 9, NYCHA’s Office of Mold Assessment and Remediation (OMAR) held a ceremony to recognize more than 50 staff who worked on NYCHA’s ventilation programs. Notably, OMAR staff completed an Authority-wide roof fan project, which involved replacing 6,188 roof fans and confirming that an additional 2,248 fans are functional and can be kept in place.

“This particular project was very difficult in terms of procurement and unplanned asbestos abatement curveballs,” said Elena Tenchikova, OMAR’s Senior Director. “There were a lot of challenges, but also a lot of support from the leadership and different NYCHA departments. We had to push through, despite the weather and pandemic-related obstacles. That’s why we wanted to take a moment and celebrate our staff’s commitment and dedication, as well as the big accomplishment that we were able to achieve together.”

The OMAR team also cleaned more than 67,000 kitchen and bathroom vents, improving ventilation and air circulation in apartments as part of its Clean Vents Initiative, and is replacing fire dampers at developments.