Public Employee Press

Fire proves NYCERS evacuation plan works

Fires, floods, blackouts — emergencies happen and workers have to get out fast. The New York City Employees’ Retirement System showed how to do it right March 26 when flames sprung up in an electrical closet on the 21st floor of their office at 335 Adams St. in Brooklyn.

Prior preparation prevented poor performance as the staff evacuated immediately.

“They did everything right,” said Lisa Baum, a principal program coordinator in the DC 37 Health and Safety Dept. “They had a plan in place. They had a meeting point for the staff, they took attendance and they had printed up copies of a number to call for access, so employees were able to call in the next day. They involved the union every step of the way in the cleanup,” she said.

State law requires every public agency to have an emergency action plan in place, and the 9/11 disaster and the August 2003 electrical blackout underscored the need. DC 37 has been stressing the importance of evacuation planning in labor-management meetings with the Citywide Office of Safety and Health.

Baum said the “model evacuation” at NYCERS was based on the efforts of Commissioner Diane D’Alessandro, who formerly worked in the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept. “She was very aggressive on the cleanup and made sure it was safe before the employees were allowed to return to work,” said Baum. Carpeting and sheetrock that were soaked by sprinklers were removed, and NYCERS tested for airborne toxins and mold spores.

Members of locals 371, 1407, 1549 and 2627 work at the location and union reps were impressed by management’s performance. “The evacuation went smoothly and the cleanup was thorough,” said Local 2627 2nd Vice President Cynthia Perkins.

“They took us from floor to floor and showed us what they had done,” said
DC 37 Clerical Division Rep Sheila Lewis. “Everything management did was very helpful, including sending us their reports.”