ARTS and CULTURE
The New 911: Emergency Calling Changes
Jarrett Murphy |
Problems with the performance of the 911 system on Sept. 11 led the Bloomberg administration to undertake a four-pronged emergency communications transformation program
FDNY
Diversity and the Department: The FDNY Recruitment Battle
Jarrett Murphy |
The upcoming firefighters’ test represents the latest attempt in a 40-year effort to try to diversify the mostly white, overwhelmingly male FDNY.
Government
New Phase of Building Code Changes Looms
Jarrett Murphy |
In the wake of the World Trade Center collapse, the city undertook a comprehensive revision of its building and fire codes. Fire safety advocates didn’t get all they wanted. Will they have another chance in the next round?
Government
Fire Inspections: Closed Doors Aren't the Only Barrier
Jarrett Murphy |
After an April fire killed a family in a building that had been illegal converted, City Hall established a new task force to improve inspections. Some pols pushed for more aggressive action. But there’s more to improving building safety than political will.
Bronx
Playground Ban Can Make It Hard To 'Make New York Your Gym'
Jarrett Murphy |
The city wants us to get out and exercise more. But the rules say one place we can’t work out is in park playgrounds. Is there a way for kids and kinesthetics to share these spaces?
Government
Behind-The-Scenes Ethics Board Seeks New Power
Jarrett Murphy |
In a time of growing concern over government ethics, the Conflict of Interest Board wants more investigative authority—but not more publicity. Much of its work is confidential.
Economy
Teachers Are Fair Game, But Cops' Records Are Off Limits
Jarrett Murphy |
The city is pressing to release internal ratings on public school teachers. But cops, prison guards and firefighters don’t have to worry about similar exposure.
Economy
Fact Checking The State Of The City
Jarrett Murphy |
Mayor Bloomberg’s annual address promised modest new initiatives and claimed major successes over the past year and his whole tenure.
Education
A 'D' For Details: Should The City Release Teachers' Ratings?
Helen Zelon |
As a businesswoman prepares to take over the city’s schools, New York’s teacher rating system—itself borrowed from the business world—stirs controversy.
FDNY
Aftershock: Manhattan Hospitals Strained By Closure Of St. Vincent's
Ruth Ford Adrienne Day |
Nearly six months after the financially challenged St. Vincent’s closed its doors, other emergency rooms are seeing more patients, more ambulance runs and longer wait times.
