Port Authority To Release Inspection Records
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The Port Authority is making its inspection records public in an effort to keep emergency responders safe.
After previously agreeing to abide by city fire and building codes, the agency said Thursday that it will now publicize the compliance status of its bridges, tunnels, airport terminals and high rises.
The Buildings Department praised the move and officials said the information will help first responders know more about the condition of a structure during an emergency.
One advocate for the new transparency is Joseph Graffagnino Senior, whose son died while fighting a fire in the violation-ridden former Deutsche Bank building in 2007.
"It's something that's got to be done, you don't want to see someone else's son or daughter go through the same thing. We all could relate to that," said Graffagnino.
"Public scrutiny of our safety efforts is always valuable regardless of who is in charge. It means alarms are sounded when there is a breakdown in oversight and it means that fewer mistakes will be made."
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer said more than 800 buildings in the five boroughs don't have to follow the city's fire codes because they are owned by state, federal or foreign governments.