UPDATE ON THE CITY’S RESPONSE TO THE MANHATTAN STEAM MAIN EXPLOSION

All Air Samples Have Been Negative for Asbestos

Clean-Up Plan for Debris That Tested Positive for Asbestos Began Overnight

Individuals Who Live and Work in the Affected Area Will Not be Permitted to Enter the Area During Clean-Up

  The City’s Emergency Management Department continues to coordinate the interagency response to the steam main explosion that occurred in Manhattan at West 21^st Street and 5th Avenue on Thursday, July 19. City agencies continue to operate in the area, including the FDNY, NYPD, and the Departments of Environmental Protection, Buildings, Health and Mental Hygiene, and Emergency Management. Con Edison, the American Red Cross in Greater NY, and the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration are also coordinating response operations.

The following is an update of the City’s response to the affected area:

HOT ZONE REMAINS IN PLACE:

·         In an abundance of caution, and to facilitate clean-up operations, a hot zone will remain in place. The hot zone boundaries include:

o   5^th Avenue from 19^th Street to 22^nd Street (midway down the block on 19^th Street and most of 20^th and 21^st streets on the west side).

o   The entire block on East 20^th and 21^st Streets and midway down the block on East 19^th Street.

·         Individuals are not permitted to enter the zone from outside the area. As clean-up work progresses, the City will work to shrink the size of the frozen zone. 

ASSESSMENT AND CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS:

·         44 buildings have had their facades visually inspected for asbestos contamination. No buildings have been cleared for re occupancy as of 5:00 p.m. on Friday. Visual inspections are ongoing.

·         An assessment is underway to determine how many building have been contaminated. Once the assessment is completed, the exterior washing of buildings will begin. This operation will be conducted by outside vendors hired by Con Edison.

·         The Departments of Environmental Protection and Health and Mental Hygiene will determine when it is safe for residents to reoccupy buildings.

RECEPTION CENTER FOR AFFECTED RESIDENTS:

·         A reception center for affected individuals remains open at the Clinton School at 10 East 15th Street until 8:00 p.m. tonight. The reception center will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. through Sunday, 7/22. This reception center is for information inquiries only and is currently staffed with representatives from the New York City Departments of Emergency Management and Health and Mental Hygiene along with Con Edison, the American Red Cross in Greater NY, ASPCA, and the Animal Care Center of NYC. Individuals who live or work within the potential affected area and need to retrieve needed medical supplies or pets should report to the reception center, where escorts will be coordinated if possible. The reception center assisted seven households yesterday affected by the steam main explosion. One family was sheltered in a local hotel by the American Red Cross in Greater NY.

STREET CLOSURES:

Street closures are still necessary to facilitate assessment and clean-up work. The following full street closures are in effect:

·         West 20^th Street between Broadway and 6^th Avenue

·         West 21^st Street between Broadway and 6^th Avenue

Partial closures:

·         North side of West 19^th Street between Broadway and 5th Avenue is partially closed, but we are working on opening the street entirely as soon as possible.

·         West 22^nd Street between Broadway and 5^th Avenue

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & MENTAL HYGIENE (DOHMH):

The public should stay away from the affected area.  Emergency crews are still on scene.

All air samples have been negative for asbestos.  Some debris samples contained asbestos.  However, it is very unlikely that people exposed to this event will develop an asbestos-related illness.  Asbestos-related illnesses usually develop after many years of exposure.  People with asthma and other respiratory conditions may be experiencing breathing difficulties.  Irritation to the eyes, nose and throat from exposure to the debris is also possible.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your doctor.

If you had been exposed to debris from the steam-pipe explosion, you should shower and seal all clothing you were wearing at the time of the explosion in a clear plastic bag.  Con Edison is accepting bagged clothing from people who were in the immediate area of the steam pipe rupture at 5th Avenue and 21st Street in Manhattan.

People who live or work within the affected area should keep windows closed until clean-up is completed. Window air conditioners should be set to re-circulate indoor air. If you see or have debris from the steam pipe explosion, you should notify your landlord, building owner, or building manager. Debris should not be disturbed. New York City agencies are working to determine what contamination is present and the extent of impact.

The Health Department and other city agencies will continue to provide updates as new information is made available.  For current information, visit nyc.gov/health.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (DEP):

 ·         DEP is monitoring asbestos levels while the cleanup and reoccupancy continues.  All air samples have been negative for asbestos.

·         DEP asbestos inspectors are conducting physical assessments of each building in the area, coordinated with NYPD, FDNY, and DOHMH.

FDNY:

·         FDNY has two decontamination task forces on scene – one at 22nd Street and Broadway and another at 19^th  Street and Broadway. These task forces will decontaminate FDNY members, workers, and civilian walk-ins, as needed.

·         A fire task force remains on scene, with three units standing by if needed (1 chief, 1 engine company, 1 ladder company).

·         An alarm investigation team also remains on scene. This two-person team can respond to alarms in buildings in the immediate area and advise dispatch quickly if additional resources are needed. These teams are put in place during big events, and useful to prevent sending in several resources if not needed for a false alarm.

DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS:

·         Buildings inspectors and forensic engineers remain on the scene to assist with structural assessments and engineering expertise.

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

·         The Emergency Operations Center remains activated in response to the steam main explosion. NYC Emergency Management continues to coordinate the interagency response on scene.

·         NYC Emergency Management and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services have moved 4,000 sandbags to the location to support clean-up operations.

MTA:

·         There are no service impacts to the R & W subway lines, and the station at 23rd Street has been reopened.

·         MTA buses:

o   Detoured - M1, M2, M3, M55, BM1, BM2, BM3, BM4, X1, X7, X9, X10, X12, X14, X17, X27, X28, X42, X63, X64, X68, BxM6, BxM7, BxM9, BxM10, BxM11

o   Delayed - M1, M2, M3, M55

CON EDISON:

·         Con Edison personnel will be at three locations in Manhattan today to assist those affected by yesterday morning’s steam pipe rupture at 5^th Avenue and 21^st Street. The locations are:

 ·         10 E. 15^th St., inside Clinton School.  Residents who cannot get back into their homes because of the evacuation should meet with Con Edison personnel who will be on-site for financial assistance from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

·         Near 19^th Street and Broadway and near 22^nd Street and Broadway. Con Edison personnel will be at these two locations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will provide claim forms and accept clothing that was worn by people who were in the area at the time of the explosion.

·         Con Edison advises that anyone who was within a block of 5^th Avenue and 21^st Street yesterday at or just after the time of the 6:40 a.m. rupture bag their clothing and bring it to one of the designated sites.

·         The claim forms also are available at coned.com.

DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO REDUCE MATERNAL DEATHS AND LIFE-THREATENING COMPLICATIONS FROM CHILDBIRTH AMONG WOMEN OF COLOR

Four-point plan will address implicit bias, increase surveillance, enhance maternity care and expand public education

  First Lady McCray and Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio announced New York City’s first comprehensive plan to reduce maternal deaths and life-threatening complications of childbirth among women of color. The five year plan aims to eliminate disparities in maternal mortality between Black and White women – where the widest disparity exists – and reduce by half the number of severe maternal morbidity events in the five boroughs. Severe maternal morbidity is defined as life-threatening complications of childbirth; maternal mortality is defined as a death of a woman while pregnant or within one year of the termination of pregnancy due to any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management.

The City will invest $12.8 million over the next three years in this plan. Funding will go towards four initiatives: 1) Engaging relevant private and public health care providers across the City in adopting implicit bias training – the unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that can affect behaviors, decisions and actions in their treatment of women of color who are pregnant; 2) supporting private and public hospitals to enhance data tracking and analysis of severe maternal mortality and maternal morbidity events to improve quality of care and eliminate preventable complications; 3) enhancing maternal care at NYC Health + Hospitals’ facilities; and 4) expanding public education in partnership with community-based organizations and residents.

In New York City, more than 3,000 women experience a life-threatening event during childbirth, and about 30 women die from a pregnancy-related cause each year. Preliminary data shows that in New York City, Black non-Hispanic women are eight times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than White women, much higher than the national average.

“We are losing far too many mothers – especially women of color – to pregnancy-related complications,” saidMayor Bill de Blasio. “That is unacceptable. This new plan will put our hospitals and healthcare system on track to save the lives of mothers and make healthier the futures of their children.”

“New York City is making women’s health care priority number one,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. “No mother, in this great City of world class health providers, should ever worry about the quality of care she’ll receive when building her family, before, during or after childbirth.” 

“Maternal mortality is not just a health crisis but also a human rights issue. It is a heartbreaking fact that maternal mortality greatly affects women of color. This investment is the City’s commitment to provide the best healthcare services to all New York women and the next step in ensuring the protection of all women, especially women of color. I thank Council Member Helen Rosenthal for bringing attention to the maternal mortality crisis, and I applaud the Administration for working with us on making New York City safe for all pregnant people,” saidCouncil Speaker Corey Johnson.

“The birth of a child should be a joyous moment for all families, and it is unacceptable that in 2018 we have so many Black mothers who are dying because of complications during childbirth,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Herminia Palacio. “This ambitious plan is an example of joining medicine and hospital delivery systems with public health systems to help close health inequities and save the lives of mothers across New York City.”

“We know one of the key drivers of racial disparities in maternal mortality is structural racism. Decades of inequitable distribution of resources across neighborhoods and unequal treatment within healthcare settings have resulted in racial differences in birth outcomes,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. “We want to thank First Lady Chirlane McCray and Deputy Mayor Palacio for investing in a bold plan to address maternal deaths. This builds upon the efforts of the Health Department to improve maternal health and close the racial gap by transforming how mothers, and specifically women of color, are cared for and supported throughout their pregnancy.”

“Despite years of work by the Health Department and many others, the stark and unacceptable racial and ethnic disparities in maternal death and life-threatening complications of childbirth have persisted,” said First Deputy Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “We are excited that as a City we are prioritizing investing new resources to improve women’s and maternal health. We are confident that by aligning and coordinating efforts of our public health and public hospital systems in partnership with community leaders, organizations, and residents, we can move the needle in a positive direction.”

“Every incidence of maternal mortality is a tragedy, and we believe many such tragedies can and must be prevented,” said Machelle Allen, MD, Chief Medical Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals. “We believe a good number of other incidents that are life-threatening to women during childbirth, and especially women of color, are also avoidable—which is why we are excited to play an active role in embracing the steps New York City is announcing. We owe our patients nothing less than the best of care possible.”

Issues around maternal mortality rates are complex, particularly for Black women. Contributing factors to this epidemic include the health status of Black women, such as the prevalence of obesity and decreased access to care; issues of poverty, such as inadequate housing; residential segregation and lower educational attainment; and the stressors stemming from racism. Even when controlling for socioeconomic and educational status, Black women are still more likely to suffer from severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality than women of other races and ethnicities.

Components of the plan include:

1.      Creating A New City-Wide Maternal Hospital Quality Improvement Network: The Health Departmentwill create a Maternal Hospital Quality Improvement Network aimed at developing hospital-specific recommendations to reduce the number of life-threatening complications during and after childbirth. The Department will target a total of 23 of the 38 public and private maternity hospitals in NYC over a four year period, prioritizing providers in neighborhoods with the highest rates of pregnancy related complications – South Bronx, North and Central Brooklyn, East and Central Harlem, and Jamaica and St. Albans in Queens. Hospitals will collect and review severe maternal morbidity data to identify problem areas in care and incorporate best practices to improve patient outcomes. Hospital staff will participate in practice drills to help them recognize and treat these events in a timely manner.

2.       Creating Comprehensive Maternity Care at NYC Health + Hospitals: Building upon the efforts already undertaken by NYC Health + Hospitals to ensure safe maternity care, the public healthcare system will implement the following initiatives:

·         Embed simulation training in all hospital obstetric units to focus on identification and response to the two top causes of pregnancy-related deaths for women of color—postpartum hemorrhage (bleeding) and thromboembolism (blood clots).

·         Hire maternal care coordinators to assist an estimated 2,000 high-risk women in the prenatal and postpartum periods to keep appointments, procure prescriptions, and connect women to eligible benefits.

·         Co-locate newborn and postpartum appointments to increase the number of women receiving postpartum care from 60 percent to 90 percent. Postpartum care will include contraceptive counselling, breastfeeding support and screening for maternal depression.

·         Establish primary care interventions to identify women who are planning to have a child within six to 12 months. Providers will assess hemorrhage risks and establish a care plan for women seeking to give birth within that timeline.

3.       Enhancing Data Quality and Timeliness:

·         The NYC Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, launched by the Health Department in December 2017, will drive data quality improvement by examining maternal deaths and analyzing and compiling data on severe complications experienced by expectant and new mothers. 

·         To address the challenge of data having historically been on a two to three-year time lag, the Health Department will provide preliminary estimates of mortality annually. The City will also request the NY State Health Department to release relevant hospital data within one year.

4.      Launching Public Awareness Campaign on Pregnancy-Related Health Risks: The Health Department will expand its targeted public education campaign with community residents and providers, emphasizing safe and respectful childbirth, prenatal and post-partum care starting in 2019.

This plan builds on the City’s significant commitment to improve maternal health, including increased screening for maternal depression through the ThriveNYC Maternal Depression Learning Collaborative, which has 30 participating hospitals to screen and treat pregnant women and new mothers for maternal depression, and the creation of the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, which reviews deaths and severe complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. Additionally, the City became the first municipality in the nation to establish a severe maternal mortality surveillance program in 2016. The Health Department also is focused on supporting women’s health before and during pregnancy to ensure optimal outcomes. In May, the Department announced the Maternal Care Connection, a collaboration with SUNY Downstate Medical Center to improve obstetric care and chronic disease management, both of which contribute to racial disparities in birth outcomes. The Department also supports a Nurse-Family Partnership program and Newborn Home Visiting Program, the By My Side program, which provides doula support services through Healthy Start Brooklyn, and new Family Wellness Suites at the Neighborhood Health Action Centers.

BIAGGI FILING SHOWS STRONG GRASSROOTS SUPPORT

  Alessandra Biaggi, candidate for State Senate in District 34, raised a total of about $260,000, including individual cash donations of more than $220,000 from 3,169 unique individuals, according to her filing yesterday with the State Board of Elections. The average individual contribution was about $70. Biaggi reported expenses of just over $50,000 for the period.

“I'm grateful to everyone who contributed to help work for a true-blue progressive Democratic State Senate that will fight for health care, affordable housing, women's reproductive rights, access to college education, ethics in government and all the other issues held up by Republican control. With broad, grassroots support, we can win,” Biaggi said.

That compares with her opponent Jeff Klein, who got more than 80% of his contributions from corporations, LLCs and PACs. He received only $95,740 from 123 individuals, an average contribution of $778, during the same period. Klein filed four reports during the period, which included expenses of more than $600,000. Klein also took $200,000 from four questionable transfers from the Senate Independence Campaign Committee starting in February of this year.

UPDATE ON THE CITY’S RESPONSE TO THE MANHATTAN STEAM MAIN EXPLOSION

Reception center open for affected individuals at 10 East 15th Street

 The City’s Emergency Management Department continues to coordinate the interagency response to the steam main explosion that occurred in Manhattan at West 21st Street and 5th Avenue on Thursday, July 19. Several City agencies including the FDNY, NYPD, and the Departments of Environmental Protection, Buildings, Health and Mental Hygiene, and Emergency Management continue to operate on scene. Con Edison and the American Red Cross in Greater NY are also coordinating response operations.

The area of West 19^th Street to West 22^nd Street between Broadway and Avenue of Americas remains a potential affected area pending an assessment of air and debris in the vicinity. A total of 49 buildings were evacuated today due to the steam main explosion. Currently, 44 buildings are being assessed for asbestos contamination (see attached map). Approximately 500 individuals are displaced from 249 residential units within the potential affected area. Individuals will not be permitted to enter these buildings until after they have been assessed.

A reception center has been opened for affected individuals at the Clinton School at 10 East 15th Street until 10:00PM tonight. This reception center is for information inquiries only. Individuals who live or work within the potential affected area and need to retrieve needed medical supplies or pets should report to the reception center, where escorts will be coordinated if possible. The reception center will reopen on Friday, July 20^th at 8:00AM. The American Red Cross in Greater NY will be at the reception center to assist evacuated residents.

Expect traffic delays, road closures, and the presence of emergency personnel in the vicinity of West 21st Street and 5th Avenue. The following streets are closed to vehicular and pedestrian street closures:

·         West 23rd Street from 6th Avenue to Madison Avenue

·         5th Avenue from West 23rd Street to West 17th Street

·         Broadway from West 23rd Street to West 17th Street

·         All crosstown traffic from 6th Avenue to Broadway from West 23rd Street to West 17th Street

FDNY:

At 6:39 a.m. FDNY units received an initial report for a steam explosion at the location of 121 5th Avenue in Manhattan. Units arrived in under five minutes and began evacuating and securing the surrounding areas. The incident escalated to a 2-alarm at 7:04 a.m. and transitioned to a 3-alarm scenario at 7:39 a.m., prompting a response of a total of 39 FDNY units and 140 members. FDNY deployed its mass decontamination task force on 19th and 22nd Street as a precaution for hazardous materials and asbestos from the steam explosion. At this time, FDNY members have decontaminated approximately 100 individuals including FDNY personnel, Con Edison employees, and area residents.

 As of 1:11 p.m. there is a total of 8 patients, 5 being civilians and 3 being members of service.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & MENTAL HYGIENE (DOHMH):

·         The public should stay away from the affected area.  Emergency crews are still on scene assessing the situation.

·         If you were exposed to debris from the steam-pipe explosion you should remove all clothing and shower. Soiled clothing should be sealed in a clear plastic bag and set aside until further notice. Con Edison is accepting bagged clothing from people who were in the immediate area of this morning’s steam pipe rupture at 5th Avenue and 21st Street in Manhattan, as tests showed asbestos was released.

·         People who live or work within the affected area should keep windows closed until clean-up is completed. Window air conditioners should be set to re-circulate indoor air. If you see or have debris from the steam pipe explosion, you should notify your landlord, building owner, or building manager. Debris should not be disturbed. New York City agencies are working to determine what contamination is present and the extent of impact.

·         DOHMH and other city agencies will continue to provide updates as new information is made available.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (DEP):

·         DEP remains on scene to monitor asbestos levels while the clean-up and re-occupancy progresses.

·         Sixteen DEP asbestos inspectors are conducting physical assessments of each building in the area, coordinated with NYPD, FDNY, and DOHMH.

NYPD:

·         Hundreds of NYPD personnel responded to the incident.

DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS:

·         Approximately 500 individuals are displaced from 249 residential units within the potential affected area.

·         Buildings inspectors and forensic engineers remain on the scene to assist with structural assessments and engineering expertise.

MTA:

·         MTA reports the following impacts to mass transit as a result of the explosion:·         MTA Subway is bypassing the West 23rd Street station (the R and W Lines).

·         MTA buses:

•           Detoured - M1, M2, M3, M55, M23-SBS, X1, X10, X17, X27, X28

•           Delayed - BxM3, BxM4, BxM6, BxM7, BxM8, BxM9, BxM10, BxM11, BxM18, QM21, BM1, BM2, BM3, BM4

NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

·         The New York City Emergency Management Department has activated the City’s Emergency Operations Center in response to the steam pipe explosion on 5th Avenue and continues to coordinate the interagency response on scene. City agencies continue to operate in the area.

CON EDISON:

·         Con Edison is accepting bagged clothing from people who were in the immediate area of this morning’s steam pipe rupture at 5th Avenue and 21st Street in Manhattan, as tests showed asbestos was released.

 ·         Those who were in the immediate area should take a shower, bag their clothing and bring it to Con Edison personnel. The immediate area is 500 feet east or west of 5th Avenue on 20th and 21st streets and 100 feet north and south on 5th Ave.

·         Company personnel are at 19th Street and Broadway and at 22nd Street and Broadway until 9 p.m. to accept the clothing. They also have claim forms available for people to submit to receive compensation for their clothes. The claim forms are also available at coned.com.

·         Con Edison personnel will also be in the Clinton School, 10 East 15th St., until 10 p.m. to provide claim forms.

·         In addition, anyone who was outside the immediate area of the rupture but who wants to exercise an abundance of caution should follow the same procedure.

·         Con Edison will provide more details as they become available.