The Fire Department of New York, not New York City’s Buildings Department, will be inspecting the city�s buildings for safety and compliance with current laws in the near future. Mayor Rudy Giuliani says the change will result in greater accountability. Buildings Department inspectors, who will be made part of the fire department, will do the inspecting under the fire department�s supervision. The fire department would also award building permits. The Buildings Department will continue to approve building plans and ensure the accuracy of the plans.
Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen welcomed the move, noting that the new plan will allow the fire department to improve public safety. Source: �FDNY to Take on Chunk of Buildings Department�s Work,� Michele McPhee, NY Daily News, 3/16/01).