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Mayor Adams Signs Executive Order Strengthening Fire Safety Enforcement and Outreach in Wake of Bronx Apartment Fire

March 20, 2022

Executive Order to Increase Coordination Between HPD and FDNY to Identify Buildings with Large Number of Fire Safety Violations for Enhanced FDNY Inspection

FDNY and HPD to Launch Outreach Campaign to Educate New Yorkers on Fire Safety

Calls for Additional Fire Safety Legislation, Including Sensible Retrofit Sprinkler Legislation, Increased Fines for Landlords Who Falsely Report Curing Self-Closing Door Violations

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today signed Executive Order 12 to strengthen fire safety enforcement and outreach in the aftermath of the tragic Twin Parks apartment fire in January. The executive order will increase coordination between Fire Department of New York (FDNY) and Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) inspectors to identify safety violations earlier and increase fire safety compliance. FDNY and HPD will also launch a broad campaign to educate New Yorkers on fire safety.

“We must work towards equipping every New Yorker and every building in this city with the tools to avoid an unspeakable tragedy like the one we saw two months ago,” said Mayor Adams. “As we continue providing critical support for the families affected by the fire, we are working closely with Borough President Gibson, Councilmember Feliz, and our partners across and beyond government to fix this problem upstream. Today’s actions are an essential step towards the goal of preventing this kind of tragedy from ever occurring again.”

“Educating New Yorkers on fire safety is among the most important goals of the Fire Department — and one we take very seriously,” said FDNY Acting Commissioner Laura Kavanagh. “These new partnerships will strengthen the work we already do and help us reach the neediest residents in all corners of the city on fire education and prevention.”

“The fire at the Twin Parks building was a devastating tragedy, and we are committed to working closely with FDNY to help prevent future tragedies,” said HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. “In addition to checking for self-closing doors, smoke detectors, and other critical safety items at every routine inspection, our inspectors will now also check that the Fire Safety Notice is posted on every apartment door, which provides life-saving information about what to do in the event of a fire. All New Yorkers should have a fire safety plan and contact their property owners if there are fire safety issues in their homes or file a complaint with 311 if issues are not corrected.”

“We are turning our pain into purpose and making sure we protect future New Yorkers,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Today’s executive order strengthening fire safety enforcement and outreach is a proactive step that will save lives and help ensure we do not have a repeat of what occurred in January at Twin Parks. I want to thank Mayor Adams, FDNY, and HPD, as well as our partners on the federal level and the Fire Safety Task Force, for their collaboration on this important issue. Interagency communication is key in preventing the next tragic fire from occurring in our city.”

“The Twin Parks fire, those effected, and the 17 lives lost to it earlier this year was not only an immense tragedy for our city, but something that could’ve been 100 percent avoided,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “We should be looking at ways to make public housing safer and more livable any chance we get, ideally before situations become unmanageable. Thank you, Mayor Adams, for taking this important step today and signing this executive order.”

“The horrific Twin Parks fire highlighted the need for stronger laws and enforcement of laws related to fire safety,” said New York City Councilmember Oswald Feliz. “We must do everything within our power to ensure another tragedy, like the one we saw at Twin Parks, never happens again — anywhere in New York City. I thank Mayor Eric Adams for taking executive action to help resolve the fire safety challenges that we face, and I look forward to working with members of the City Council to take additional action and build a system that will protect our families from future tragedies.”

The city will also work with City Council to enact additional fire safety legislation, including sensible retrofit sprinkler legislation and legislation that increases fines for landlords who falsely report curing a self-closing door violation.

The executive order will increase coordination and information-sharing between the agencies to better enforce existing fire safety laws. The agencies will also enhance outreach efforts to educate New Yorkers on preventing fires and responding to fire emergencies. Measures include:

  • In addition to looking for housing code violations, HPD inspectors will now look for compliance with FDNY’s requirement that the Fire Safety Notice is posted on the apartment’s entrance door. HPD will communicate information about lack of this signage to FDNY and to the owner of the building.
  • HPD will provide FDNY with access to all violations issued that pertain to fire safety since January 1, 2021. FDNY will use this information to conduct more frequent inspections of buildings with a large number of violations.
  • FDNY inspectors will conduct enhanced inspections for fire signage and posting violations.
  • FDNY and HPD will conduct a broad, educational fire safety outreach campaign, including education related to smoke detectors, self-closing doors, and stove knob covers. Resident outreach will include information on what to do in the event of a fire, and building owners will be reminded of their legal obligations related to fire safety.
  • FDNY will work with the Department of Education to conduct outreach in schools, including educating teachers, staff, and students about appropriate fire safety measures and proper evacuation procedures.


“It is unfortunate that these types of deadly fires are far too common, and it is our duty, as elected officials, to protect people from such preventable dangers,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “The plans Mayor Adams will implement to allow fire departments to collaborate and share data across all necessary agencies will work in partnership with the bill I introduced with Congressman Torres, the Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act, which will help the U.S. Fire Administration to assist and provide the resources our local fire departments need to prevent an incident like the one we saw on January 9.”
“The recent fire tragedies — in the Bronx and throughout New York City — make clear the urgent need for increased federal, state, and local government collaboration to help keep constituents safe from these potentially catastrophic events, especially those that could have been prevented with proper enforcement and inspection,” said U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat. “New Yorkers feeling safe and secure in their apartments should be a right, regardless of their zip code or socioeconomic status. I was proud to lead the federal effort to ensure fire safety remains part of our national dialogue and commend Mayor Adams for his continuous engagement to strengthen collaboration between the FDNY and New York City housing inspectors to make fire safety compliance a priority across our city.”

“I applaud Mayor Adams for taking these steps for greater fire safety — including deepening FDNY and HPD cooperation, working towards greater public education and outreach, and proposing upgrades to our fire safety laws,” said New York State Senator Leroy Comrie. “This executive order takes the grave hazards fires pose seriously and pursues the holistic approach to fire safety we need.”

“Landlords that cut corners and violate our housing laws need to be held to account,” said New York State Senator Brad Hoylman. “We’ve seen the deadly consequences of the failure to do so. I support Mayor Adams’ effort to increase agency coordination and crack down on these dangerous scofflaws.”

“Our office frequently hears about safety and preparedness issues in buildings across our district — and we saw many of them firsthand during a recent walkthrough of several high-rises,” said New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie. “We must not wait until tragedy strikes to address fire safety. I’m grateful to the mayor for committing to cut the red tape and ensure greater coordination between FDNY and HPD — it will save lives."

One key lesson from the Bronx tragedy is the need for a better flow of information — amongst agencies and between tenants, management, and other stakeholders,” said New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “Falsifying building safety information can be fatal. Notification saves lives.”

“After the devastating Twin Parks fire and a string of residential fires that has affected many families across the city this winter, I am grateful that Mayor Adams and his administration are taking a comprehensive approach to address this issue by strengthening fire safety enforcement in our city and promoting fire safety education to as many New Yorkers as possible,” said New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “It is critical that we work together across all levels of government to enhance fire safety protocols and ensure our communities feel protected, by providing them the resources and support they need.”

“Too often, people lose their lives in fires that could have been prevented,” said New York State Senator James Sanders Jr. “Under those conditions, it is so important to implement safety measures to combat blazes that injure civilians as well as firefighters. I commend the mayor on his fire safety initiative. This proactive approach, which will identify safety violations earlier and increase fire safety compliance, is definitely a step in the right direction in protecting New Yorkers.”

“I want to support and applaud the initiative of Mayor Eric Adams in his efforts to strengthen fire safety,” said New York State Senator Luis Sepúlveda. “All of us have been appalled by the tragedies that have occurred in the past few weeks. In the Bronx, we have a situation that needs immediate, strategic, and swift attention. The mayor’s executive order is a great step in the right direction and in support of our communities. Coordination between agencies and with the general public will help raise awareness about the great danger of being unprepared, help train our people on what to do to prevent and to act in times of emergencies, and help close the gap that exists in the supervision of compliance in buildings and peoples’ homes.”

“Over a couple months ago, a deadly fire tore through an apartment building in my home borough of the Bronx,” said New York State Assemblymember Kenny Burgos. “It’s possible that this tragedy could have been prevented if certain measures had been in place. While my space heaters bill is a great step to address fire safety, there are other areas that need to be fixed as well. I thank Mayor Adams, the FDNY, and HPD for taking these necessary steps that will help save lives.”

“I would like to thank Mayor Eric Adams, HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión, and FDNY Acting Commissioner Laura Kavanagh for taking these important steps to make buildings safer,” said New York State Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos. “Stronger enforcement measures will help reduce the number of tragic events that occur in buildings throughout New York.”

“New York was devastated by the loss of life in the Twin Parks fire, but these steps to strengthen fire safety enforcement and outreach will help decrease the likelihood that such a tragedy ever happens again in our city,” said New York State Assemblymember Eddie Gibbs. “I applaud Mayor Adams for taking seriously the risk that overlooking fire safety violations poses to New Yorkers.”

“I praise the city for helping to integrate FDNY and HPD communications,” said New York State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. “This order will help identify safety violations and prevent future disasters. The Twin Peaks fire showed us a need to revamp our safety systems, which tragically failed the immigrant community of the Bronx. This order will help ensure that affordable housing and safety go hand in hand.”

“I commend Mayor Adams for delivering a comprehensive, multi-agency plan to ensure fire safety,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “We must ensure that the devastation of the Twin Parks fire in the Bronx never happens again in our city. Just as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was a clarion call for reforms over 100 years ago, so too will we honor the memories of those we lost at Twin Parks by guaranteeing the safety of all New Yorkers.”

“Keeping all New Yorkers safe from fires is crucial to public safety,” said New York State Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon. “Increasing fire safety education, improving coordination and information sharing between New York City agencies, and enacting fire safety legislation are necessary initial steps. We must do everything possible to prevent tragic, needless loss of lives such as Twin Parks in the Bronx and massive property losses just this week in Brooklyn. I look forward to working with colleagues on legislation to address all forms of unsafe building conditions.”

“As the victims of the Twin Park Towers continue to recover, it is a clear reminder of the work that needs to be done to prevent this tragedy from ever occurring again in our community,” said New York State Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia. “Educating our residents on fire safety, while also holding landlords accountable, is vital in ensuring the safety of our families. I thank Mayor Adams for signing this executive order increasing coordination between HPD and FDNY — a necessary step to assure our residents that we will continue to fight for their safety and a betterment of quality of life for all.”

“Losing 17 lives in the Twin Parks fire was an avoidable tragedy that could have been prevented with better fire safety and enforcement,” said New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “I applaud Mayor Eric Adams and my colleagues in the City Council for shepherding legislation to strengthen fire safety — legislation that will retrofit sprinklers, increase fines for landlords who falsely report fire safety doors, and ensure fire signage is easily accessible. This legislation will streamline response times and interagency coordination, increase fire safety compliance, and ensure issues are identified promptly, helping to avoid tragedies like the Twin Parks fire.”

“The mayor’s executive order will save lives,” said New York City Councilmember Joann Ariola. “HPD and landlords will now be held accountable through oversite, more frequent FDNY inspections and information-sharing between agencies to prevent fires.  As chair of the New York City Council Fire and Emergency Management Committee, I look forward to working with the mayor to introduce and pass much needed fire safety legislation“

“This multifaceted approach, which includes inspection, communication, and prevention strategies, will protect vulnerable New Yorkers who live in fear of the next deadly fire,” said New York City Councilmember Shaun Abreu. “Our city can measure the cost of past inaction in the lives of those we’ve lost to fires. As a tenant rights attorney, I know how many of our residents face poor and dangerous housing conditions. The mayor’s action today is an important step to help keep landlords in compliance and tenants safe.”

“I applaud the mayor’s proactive initiative on outreach, education, and increased coordination between our city agencies on the issue of fire safety. The Bronx has a long history of horrible fires that uproot our communities, and that history is inexplicably linked to the lack of protections and inspections in our borough,” said New York City Councilmember Amanda Farías. “The divestment of the Bronx cannot continue, and as local government, we have to be committed to rectifying the years of injustices. I am committed to working with the mayor, our borough president, and our new City Council Twin Parks Fire Safety Task Force to create preventative measures that save lives. Through experience in my council district, I have had the pleasure to work with the FDNY and HPD, and I know they are committed to the safety of our Bronx residents. Thank you Mayor Eric Adams for signing this life saving initiative into law.”

“The tragedy that occurred in the Bronx at the beginning of this year brought to light the disparities faced by our neighbors when it comes to fire safety, especially by those living in affordable housing,” said New York City Councilmember Kamillah Hanks. “In my own district, too many residents have been put at risk of a fire emergency, due to the rampant negligence and violations existing in their buildings. Fire safety is a public safety issue, and as chair of the Committee on Public Safety, I commend this administration’s efforts to improve on the communication and outreach of life-saving fire safety education.”

“The mayor’s executive order is a good way to improve communication between HPD and FDNY and help better educate the public about fire safety issues,” said New York City Councilmember Robert Holden. “We have already lost too many New Yorkers to deadly fires that could have been prevented, and this order can prevent more lives being lost. Many residents don’t realize that they are creating or allowing fire hazards in their homes.”

“The importance of fire safety cannot be overstated, and I am glad to see these life-saving measures from Mayor Adams,” said New York City Councilmember Rita Joseph.

“The Twin Parks fire was a tragedy, not just because of the terrible loss of life but also because it was wholly preventable,” said New York City Councilmember Shekar Krishnan. “This executive order, which increases inspections and outreach to tenants, will ensure landlords fulfill their obligations to provide fire safety measures in their buildings. This will save lives.”

“The Twin Parks fire was absolutely devastating, and we as a city cannot allow a tragedy like this to happen again,” said New York City Councilmember Julie Menin. “This occurrence was preventable, and it’s heartbreaking to see how people lost their lives due to safety violations that should have been addressed immediately after they were flagged. I look forward to working with my colleagues and Mayor Adams on legislation that will keep New Yorkers safe from fires and prevent further tragedies.”

“To best serve our city and keep New Yorkers safe, it is paramount that the city's agencies have the opportunity to optimize collaboration and information sharing,” said New York City Councilmember Francisco Moya. “This executive order is an example of the ways we can improve how we work collectively to prevent life-altering events that cost people’s lives and homes.”

“The Twins Parks fire was a horrific tragedy that devastated so many individuals and families,” said New York City Councilmember Keith Powers. “Thank you, Mayor Adams, for bolstering the city’s response by signing this executive order to strengthen fire safety protections across New York City. As our city reels from this unspeakable disaster, it’s imperative we take tangible action against any future tragedies.”

“Following the devastating Twin Parks fire, I’m glad to see Mayor Adams signing an executive order to strengthen fire safety enforcement,” said New York City Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez. “Proper fire safety inspections and information saves lives.”

“Addressing fire safety is incredibly important to ensure that we don’t relive another tragedy like the Twin Parks fire,” said New York City Councilmember Nantasha Williams. “This tragedy could have been prevented with proper guidelines, education, and enforcement in place. I would like to thank Mayor Adams for signing this executive order that will enforce coordination among FDNY and HPD, will strengthen regulations for housing code violations, and will provide more education to residents.”

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