‘We Need to Make Sure Landlords Are Held Accountable’
Last Jan 9th, 17 people died and scores of others were injured or driven from their homes by a five-alarm fire started by a defective space heater at the Twin Parks North West high-rise.
Urban Matters: You were on the scene of the fire even as it was being brought under control on that winter Sunday. What stands out in your memories of that day, and of the very difficult days that followed?
Borough President Vanessa Gibson: The shock and panic of so many people who were displaced. I also was amazed at the work of our first responders who were quickly on the scene to save lives and ease the fears of the survivors.
UM: As State Assemblywoman and then as a City Council member, you represented areas that neighbor Fordham Heights, where the Twin Parks towers are located. How familiar were you with the community there before the fire?
Gibson: Ninety percent of the residents in Twin Parks North West are Gambian American. So, while I didn’t have involvement with the Twin Parks North West residents in my City Council capacity, there is a sizeable West African population in my former Council district, and that helped me navigate the crisis. We knew the importance of engaging the local mosque, community leaders, and credible messengers. They were vital in helping us identify the practical needs of those living in Twin Parks.
The Gambian American Youth Organization was also critical in collecting donations from the public and giving to residents. They created a GoFundMe page and raised close to $1 million to assist the community before going off-line. I am also grateful to Monroe College that also opened their doors to collect donations that poured in from the tri-state area for the Twin Parks North West residents.
UM: In interviews and in congressional testimony you’ve spoken out repeatedly about the causes and consequences of the Twin Parks tragedy. What lessons should be learned from it, and what are you doing to push action at the local and federal levels?
Gibson: I co-sponsored two pieces of legislation (Intros 104 and 105) in the City Council, working with Council Member Oswald Feliz. They were part of a fire safety package that was ultimately passed and signed into law by the mayor on June 1st.
The focus of Intro 104 is on self-closing doors, making sure that once released, they return back to their closed position. This alone could have saved lives that morning [when doors designed to be self-closing malfunctioned, allowing the fire to spread rapidly from a defective apartment space heater]. We need to make sure that landlords are held accountable, in this case for example, for doors that are faulty to the point where they are aiding and abetting fires and smoke to rapidly spread.
Intro 105 is about the repairs of these self-closing doors. I want to make sure that corrections happen within 14 days. It also requires [City housing inspectors] to re-inspect no later than 20 days after the 14-days correction period.
The fire safety package also includes a ban on selling electric heaters that do not have automatic shutoff capabilities, and requires that those sold in New York City are approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
I also want to see an inter-agency fire response team put into place that first and foremost helps fire victims until adequate housing is found. Time is needed for families and individuals that experience trauma due to a fire, to regain their footing. They need wrap-around services that include counseling, food assistance, and more as they sort out their next step. Right now, there are two families that remain in a designated hotel for the Twin Park families. Thankfully, the others have either moved back or taken alternate steps in getting housing.
UM: Final question: We’re in residential heating season again – and that unfortunately means an increased threat of residential fires. What will you and your staff be doing to try to keep Bronx residents comfortable, and safe, in their homes in the months ahead?
Gibson: We are stressing awareness. We want our communities to stay informed. Our ombudsman office will also be working with residents who call our office with heating issues. We also will be monitoring the status of Federal and State legislation on fire safety.
Vanessa Gibson is the Borough President of the Bronx. This is part of a "Voices from the Boroughs" series of postings from the current new cohort of borough presidents.
Photo by: Shiezoli