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Photo: Kathryn Kirk/ BP's Office |
Yesterday, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams called for the
creation of a burn center in Brooklyn, which currently
has no burn facility. Adams asked all of the borough’s hospitals, both
public and private,
to put forward any proposals. He said that any plan that he
feels is strong would be supported with funding from his capital budget.
He also announced a borough-wide fire safety education campaign, following a fatal fire Saturday in Midwood that claimed the lives of seven siblings, aged five to 16, from the Sassoon family.
"This is not just about borough equity; this is about providing the
necessary medical infrastructure that can save lives," he said. "I look forward to
addressing this gap in care and working to bring the first burn center
to the borough.”
The Sassoon family’s mother and one of her daughters are currently in critical condition at burn centers in the Bronx and Staten Island, after sustaining severe burns and smoke inhalation.
Adams’ fire safety education effort will include translation of materials in Spanish, Yiddish, and other languages, as well as the distribution of free smoke detectors.
He is hosting an event tonight from 7:00 PM until 9:30 PM at PS 193 Gil Hodges, located at 2515 Avenue L, in partnership with Council Member Chaim Deutsch, Comptroller Scott Stringer, and Public Advocate Letitia James, in conjunction with Representative Yvette Clarke, Assembly Members Rodneyse Bichotte, Dov Hikind, and Helene Weinstein, Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, and Community Board 14.
Adams was joined yesterday by elected officials, including PA Letitia James, and Jewish leaders inside FDNY headquarters at MetroTech Center.
“This tragedy has shaken us all,” said Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon. “One thing is clear: we need to be better educated about fire safety and when the unspeakable occurs, Brooklyn needs to be ready to treat its burn victims here."
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