NY S00455

Requires the Fire Department Commissioner to provide written request with supporting documentation to council members, community boards, and borough presidents before permanently closing any firehouse or permanently removing/relocating any firefighting unit (permanent defined as exceeding six months).

Environmental impact statement must accompany the written request and include current/projected response times with geographic and traffic analyses, current/projected resource allocation and staffing levels, and distance of other firehouses in the affected area.

Proposed closures are subject to consecutive 30-day review periods by affected community boards and borough presidents, followed by City Council review requiring a simple majority vote if any board/president supports the proposal or a two-thirds majority vote if all oppose it.

If the permanent closure, removal, or relocation does not occur within four months of approval, the Commissioner must issue another written request with supporting documentation, with the four-month period tolled during any restraining orders or injunctions.

Takes effect immediately upon enactment.