File #: Int 1048-2024    Version: * Name: Conducting a complaint based siren sound study in the city.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Environmental Protection, Resiliency and Waterfronts
On agenda: 9/26/2024
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law in relation to conducting a complaint based siren sound study in the city
Sponsors: Gale A. Brewer, Lincoln Restler, Keith Powers , Yusef Salaam
Council Member Sponsors: 4
Summary: This bill would direct the Department of Environmental Protection, with assistance from the Fire Department, and any other relevant agency, to conduct study to determine locations within the city that experience the highest levels of siren noise, the most common times for siren noise and propose mitigation measures for reducing siren noise impact. The bill would also require DEP to establish a toll-free telephone number and web page to facilitate the centralized collection of complaints about siren noise during the study period. The DEP would then be required to submit a report to the Speaker of the Council and the Mayor with the results of this study.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1048, 2. Int. No. 1048, 3. September 26, 2024 - Stated Meeting Agenda, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 9-26-24

Int. No. 1048

 

By Council Members Brewer, Restler, Powers and Salaam

 

A Local Law in relation to conducting a complaint based siren sound study in the city

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Siren sound study. a. Definitions. As used in this section, the term “siren sound” means the sound generated by emergency signal devices installed on authorized emergency vehicles.

b. The commissioner of environmental protection, in consultation with the police commissioner, the fire commissioner, and the commissioners of any other relevant agencies, shall conduct a study of the experience of siren sounds on nearby residents. Such study shall:

1. establish a toll-free telephone number, a website, and a database to facilitate the centralized collection of public complaint data regarding siren noise for a period of one year during such study;

2. conduct a public outreach campaign to inform the public about the study and the methods of  reporting siren noise for the study;

3. identify the locations within the city that experience the highest levels of siren noise, as determined by the collected information and other information the commissioner deems relevant;

4. to the extent known, identify and categorize siren sound complaint data received by their vehicle type: non-medical fire vehicle, emergency medical services ambulance, or police vehicle;

5. determine the most common times for siren noise to occur; and

6. recommend mitigation measures for reducing siren noise impact on residents.

c. Within 18 months of the date on which this local law takes effect, the commissioner of environmental protection shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council a report with the results of the study pursuant to subdivision b, accompanied by all raw data collected for the study.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

 

IB

LS #17453

8/13/2024