New York, NY – Councilwoman Letitia James, is sponsoring a City Council initiative that would double the number of FDNY fire marshals, who investigate the causes of fires.
Her initiative would also provide funding for thermal imaging technology in every firehouse. The city has recently seen a large increase in suspicious fires, and the number of fire marshals is at its lowest point in decades. In 2001, there were 200 marshals within the Fire Department. Now there are approximately 100 on the payroll.
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James’ initiative will allow the FDNY to hire 100 additional fire marshals and supervisors. At approximately $45,000 each, this would cost $4.5 million.
Thermal imaging is a technology that allows firefighters to see through smoke and sense humans in a burning building. Each thermal imaging unit costs approximately $15,000. At a cost of $3.3 million, each of the city’s 221 companies could receive a thermal imaging unit.
“Increasing the number of fire marshals is an urgent matter. This will help to ensure that the FDNY is able to investigate the cause of all fires, big and small, and better determine if arson plays a role. And thermal imaging technology will save many precious lives,” said James. [Brooklyn Daily Eagle]