File #: Res 0837-2025    Version: * Name: MTA to install encased, alarmed, and publicly accessible fire extinguishers in MTA subway cars and stations.
Type: Resolution Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Fire and Emergency Management
On agenda: 4/10/2025
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to install encased, alarmed, and publicly accessible fire extinguishers in MTA subway cars and stations
Sponsors: Joann Ariola , Mercedes Narcisse
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Attachments: 1. Res. No. 837, 2. April 10, 2025 - Stated Meeting Agenda

Res. No. 837

 

Resolution calling upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to install encased, alarmed, and publicly accessible fire extinguishers in MTA subway cars and stations

 

By Council Members Ariola and Narcisse

 

Whereas, The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA” or the “Authority”) is the largest transportation system in North America, including 6,553 subway cars and 472 subway stations, and with a daily subway ridership of approximately 3.6 million people as of 2023; and

Whereas, The MTA subway system has a number of safety features in place to respond to incidents or emergencies, including illuminate “Help Points” in subway stations to connect customers directly to emergency personnel, emergency exit and brake pull systems on subway cars, and passenger emergency intercoms near the end of each subway car on certain subway trains; and

Whereas, According to the MTA, the Authority trains with local and national emergency response partners and regularly reviews their processes to ensure that they are keeping customers safe; and

Whereas, On December 22, 2024, Debrina Kawam was the victim of a fatal burning attack after her clothing was set on fire on a stationary F train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station in Brooklyn; and

Whereas, Although police officers and transit workers attempted to save Debrina Kawam and put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, they were unable to save her life; and

Whereas, Passengers on the subway car and at the station where unable to access  a fire extinguisher to assist the victim because, according to the New York Post, fire extinguishers are only accessible to MTA workers in track tunnels and booths and are not accessible to the public on platforms or in subway cars; and

Whereas, Including encased fire extinguishers on MTA subway cars and in stations could allow members of the public to assist in putting out fires within the NYC subway system; and

Whereas, Installing alarms on encased fire extinguishers could further alert MTA employees to the use of a fire extinguisher and the potential of a fire within the subway system; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to install encased, alarmed, and publicly accessible fire extinguishers in MTA subway cars and stations.

 

 

 

JPB

LS #18754

3/7/25 4:00 PM