Tag: Thomas Von Essen
Proposed NYC fire law would require ECS in high-rises
January 22, 2014Tess Nacelewicz
NEW YORK—The city may mandate emergency communications systems in buildings higher than six stories after a man died in a high-rise fire this month while trying to escape down a smoke-filled stairway instead of remaining safely in his apartment.The measure, proposed by New York City Council member Corey Johnson, would apply to hundreds of existing buildings in the city if the council approves it. Corey's office estimated in mid-January that the council would receive the legislation proposal...
AFA acquires, puts former NYC fire commissioner on its board
January 9, 2013Tess Nacelewicz
SYOSSET, N.Y.—AFA Protective Systems, a super-regional based here, recently added about $45,000 to its RMR with the acquisition of Ready Alarm, a company providing commercial fire alarm monitoring, maintenance and inspection services in the New York City market.AFA also appointed Thomas Von Essen—a fire and life safety consultant renowned for leading the City of New York Fire Department as fire commissioner at the time of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center—to...
This Blog's on Fire (And Other Stuff)
9-11 first responder: Mass notification 'might have made a difference that day'
May 4, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
I just got back from an emergency management seminar in Burlington, Mass. sponsored by Notifier by Honeywell. The May 3 event opened with remarks from Thomas Von Essen, who was New York City's fire commissioner at the time of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, about the importance of mass notification/emergency communication systems.
Von Essen spoke for only about 10 minutes, but hearing from someone so involved in the experiences of that terrible day about how mass notification/ECS...