By Julie Shapiro
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
LOWER MANHATTAN — Family members of Deutsche Bank fire victims and politicians are calling on the governor to sign a bill bringing greater scrutiny to state-owned buildings in an attempt to avert a tragedy similar to the one that killed two firefighters in 2007.
Hundreds of state-owned buildings around the city, including the Deutsche Bank building, are not required by law to comply with the city’s building and fire codes because of a loophole in the law. That loophole makes firefighters’ jobs more hazardous and unpredictable, said State Sen. Daniel Squadron, who sponsored the new legislation.
“It’s not going to undo the tragedy that happened here,” Squadron said of his legislation, standing outside the Deutsche Bank building Thursday afternoon. “It will create a safer environment for first responders when they are called to an emergency.”
When firefighters arrived at the Deutsche Bank building nearly three years ago to battle a seven-alarm fire, they found a broken standpipe and blocked exits. Firefighters Joseph Graffagnino Jr., 33, and Robert Beddia, 53, were trapped in a maze of smoke and died of cardiac arrest when their oxygen tanks ran out.
“Buildings like that murder first responders,” Joseph Graffagnino Sr., 61, said Thursday afternoon, indicating the Deutsche Bank building behind him. “It’s a death trap.”
Squadron’s bill, also sponsored by Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, would create a task force to study the city’s state-owned buildings and develop a concrete plan by next March for improving their safety. The eight-member panel would include representatives of the FDNY, the city Department of Buildings and the state Office of General Services, among others.
Gov. David Paterson has until July 30 to sign or veto the bill, or it automatically becomes law. A spokeswoman for the governor said he is reviewing the bill.
“It’s a small step in the right direction,” said Barbara Crocco, 52, Beddia’s sister. “I hope it gets signed and they’re able to fix this so it never happens again.
She sighed.
“It’s a big wish.”
