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Aug 26, 2007 7:01 am US/Eastern
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NYC Lawmakers: Bring Back Retired Firefighters
By Dave Carlin, CBS 2 News
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
The scrutiny on Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta is intensifying. One week after the former Deutsche Bank building fire, lawmakers are demanding answers for the tragedy, while trying to ensure it never happens again.
Fresh flowers and mounting frustrations could be seen at the firehouse for Engine 24 Ladder 5. It's been a week since Joseph Graffagnino and Robert Beddia died on the job at the former Duetsche Bank building. Many people are asking why Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scopetta is saying so little about something so big.
"The commissioner of our fire department needs to come forward very quickly and provide the answers necessary for every city resident and every firefighter," said City Council Member Hiram Monserrate.
This week, Monserrate says he will demand Commissioner Scopetta testify at City Hall. Questions include why FDNY stopped the mandatory inspections of the toxic tower, and who failed to follow through on a pre-fire plan.
"If we don't act now we're only ensuring this could happen again in the future," said Monserrate.
He joined State Senator Eric Adams at the site to push for immediate changes. Adams wants new inspections for scores of city buildings, with a new workforce. He would also bring back retired firefighters.
"[The retired firefighters] may not be able to carry a hose, but they can walk in a building and use their expertise and experience of identifying what hazards would exist for a firefighter," said Adams.
The members of the task force want retired firefighters to make the inspections and create a database to give first responders so firefighters have a better idea of the hazardous conditions they are walking in to.
It would mean changing the law so retired firefighters could get waivers allowing them both their pension checks and new city paychecks at the same time. World Trade Center Site Construction Worker Liam Harkin thinks it is a great idea.
"We could take more time inspecting things and everybody work safely," said Harkin.
"It's a terror," said Kathleen Moore. "It's a constant danger."
Moore hates the building that she sees up close from her apartment windows. She says her heart aches for the men killed and injured there and adds it didn't have to be this way.
She and her neighbors want to know what's next at the site. Firefighters are there to supervise the cleaning up of broken glass and other hazards. But for now there won't be any more asbestos removal or demolition.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)