ALBANY, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — It's a grim distinction for New York state: 46 fire deaths since the start of this year, far and away leading the nation.
"That is not a category that we want to be a leader in," said John D'Alessandro, with the Firefighters Association of the State of New York.
According to FASNY, the state's fire death toll this year continues a devastating trend of leading the nation, as it did in 2017, 2018, and 2019 — with over 830 deaths since 2017.
D'Alessandro said that many of those deaths are avoidable. Problems often begin with buildings that aren't up to code, with illegal walls or doors.
He said that it has "real practical consequences" when firefighters respond to a fire where a building is not up to code or illegal modifications have been made.
"That slows down extinguishment efforts," D'Alessandro added. "That certainly slows down search and rescue efforts and puts the residents and the firefighters at greater risk."
Firefighters were in Albany on Monday, lobbying state lawmakers for "straightforward" reforms such as increased funding for local inspection.
D'Alessandro said that "words on paper" without "enforcement will do nothing to protect the citizens of New York."
Another bill would provide a discount on smoke detectors during the October sales tax holiday for fire safety month.
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