Committee on Fire and Emergency Management meeting
February 25, 2026, 10:00 AM
The Committee on Fire and Emergency Management held an oversight hearing on the implementation of Local Law 6 of 2025.
What was discussed
- Chair Ariola opens the oversight hearing on Local Law 6 of 2025 Council Member Joann Ariola, Chair of the Committee on Fire and Emergency Management, opened the oversight hearing on the implementation of Local Law 6 of 2025, which requires the Department of Transportation and the FDNY to coordinate on open-street applications and major transportation projects —
- FDNY and DOT testify on implementing Local Law 6 FDNY Chief of Fire Operations Kevin Woods testified that Local Law 6 places requirements on DOT and the Fire Department to review proposed open streets and street projects affecting response times, stressing that time lost in transit can be a matter of life and death. He appeared with Chief of City
- How does the FDNY review street plans under Local Law 6, and why is there no timeline? Pressed by Chair Ariola and Council Members Lincoln Restler and Carmen N. De La Rosa, Chief James Ahrens and Chief Kevin Woods said the FDNY received 95 project plans, distributes them to firehouses for company-officer feedback, and has about a 40 percent response rate, but has no set timeline for
- Do bike lanes, boulders, and planters block fire apparatus and hydrants? Reviewing photos and video of specific sites, Chair Ariola and Council Members Vickie Paladino and Phil Wong pressed DOT's Sean Quinn and Rick Rodriguez on boulders and planters placed near fire hydrants and narrowed streets that impede fire apparatus. Chief Kevin Woods said the FDNY needs roughly
- Firefighter unions and residents back Local Law 6 and demand better coordination Firefighter union leaders and residents testified in support of Local Law 6 and for tracking street redesigns' impact on response. Andrew Ansbro of the Uniformed Firefighters Association and Mike Schrieber, the union's Health and Safety Officer, along with Jim Brosi and EMS union president Oren
Agenda
1 item
- T2026-0994 Oversight - Implementation of Local Law 6 of 2025. Hearing Held by Committee