DOI Report on Fire Safety
The Department of Investigation (DOI) released the findings of their investigation into NYCHA’s compliance with our safety inspection protocols. The report states that property management staff failed to properly conduct six key apartment safety checks including testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The investigation also found that NYCHA staff often falsely reported that they had conducted safety checks when they had not. Although it is not mandated by law, NYCHA procedures require property maintenance staff to check that smoke detectors are operational each time they enter an apartment.
NYCHA has taken several actions to improve our fire safety protocols and compliance, including:
• Instituting annual internal audits;
• Incorporating safety spot checks into the ongoing quality assurance program on maintenance and repairs. Reviews will identify developments that require additional training and controls;
• Implementing a comprehensive fire safety education campaign: In June, NYCHA issued written instruction to property management, hosted two webinars that were attended by 250 staff; created a digital library for materials; and launched a new employee public awareness campaign “5 ALIVE.”
• Updating paperwork procedures and recordkeeping soft ware an integrating a pop-up reminder message on hand held devices before a work order is closed.
The safety of our residents has to be paramount in everything we do. We will continue to be vigilant in our efforts to improve safety protocols.
