Governor Hochul Offers Firework Safety Tips for the Upcoming July 4th Holiday

 

4th of July Weekend Typically Sees a Rise in Firework-Related Injuries

Attend Public Fireworks Displays To Avoid Injury or Unwanted Fires and Prioritize Fire Safety if Handling Legal Sparkling Devices

Governor Kathy Hochul reminded New Yorkers to keep safe while celebrating the upcoming July 4th holiday. As part of a multi-agency effort, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection, along with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the New York State Department of Health are providing tips to help New Yorkers stay safe while celebrating Independence Day with legal sparkling devices.

“As we celebrate this 4th of July with family and friends, it’s important that everyone take proper precautions to keep each other safe,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers should exercise caution while using legal sparkling devices and enjoy this special day.”

Sparkling devices are ground based or handheld devices that produce a shower of colored sparks and or a colored flame, audible crackling or whistling noise and smoke. The law limits the type, size and construction of sparkling devices and requires that these devices must be handheld or mounted on a base or spike and be limited in sizes that range from 1 to 500 grams of pyrotechnic composition.

Every year, thousands of people – most of them children, teens and young adults – are injured while using fireworks. Most of these injuries happen in the weeks surrounding the 4th of July. According to a report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there’s been an upward trend in fireworks-related injuries, with incidence increasing by 25 percent within a six-year time period. The Consumer Product Safety Commission also found that nationally nearly half of the fireworks-related injuries were to people younger than 24 years of age.

In 2022, the most recent data we have, there were 173 fireworks-related injury visits reported by emergency departments in New York State, with 125 of those visits reported between June 18 and July 18. Additionally, 25 percent of the visits during that period were by patients 18 years of age or under.

Common causes of fireworks-related injuries are:

• A fast-fuse firecracker explodes before it can be thrown.
• A misguided rocket strikes a bystander.
• A curious youngster goes to investigate why a firecracker “failed” to explode.

More than 19,500 reported fires are started by fireworks annually, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

The Department also recommends taking simple precautions while watching professional fireworks displays, including using earplugs to protect hearing, keeping a safe distance from the firework launch site and leaving pets at home.

Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “As we celebrate this annual 4th of July holiday with friends and family, it’s important to remember basic safety tips, especially when sparkling devices are involved. While fireworks and firecrackers may be part of the holiday tradition, these dangerous fire devices are illegal statewide and should not be used under any circumstances. If sparkling devices are legal in your area, make sure to always follow the instructions on the packaging and never allow children to play with or ignite the devices.”

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “No one wants to spend their holiday in the emergency room or with a visit from the fire department because of injuries or fires caused by fireworks. It’s easy to avoid the dangers of fireworks during the July 4th holiday and that is to leave them to the professionals.”

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Holidays are moments to have fun and spend time with loved ones, and we want everyone to do that safely. While July 4th fireworks are entertaining and beautiful to watch, I encourage New Yorkers to enjoy community firework displays put on by professionals and not put themselves or anyone else at risk with illegal personal fireworks.”

The New York State Department of Labor’s Industry Inspection unit thoroughly inspects the safety operations and storage of the 350 certified pyrotechnicians statewide each year. NYSDOL also ensures compliance with regulations by inspecting around 120 pyrotechnic shows per year. Visit the Department of Labor website to learn more about the regulations for pyrotechnics permits.

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “The New York State Department of Labor is committed to keeping all workplaces safe for New Yorkers, including firework display sites. Our inspectors closely examine firework display operators in advance of shows to ensure that New Yorkers enjoy a safe and fun 4th of July holiday.”

FIREWORKS - WHAT’S LEGAL AND WHAT’S NOT IN NEW YORK STATE:

What’s Legal:

1. Sale of sparkling devices by registered sellers from June 1 until July 5 annually. Sparkling devices are ground-based or handheld sparking devices that produce a shower of colored sparks or colored flame, crackling or whistling noise and smoke. They do not launch into the air.
2. The possession and use of sparkling devices in cities with populations of less than one million people and as permitted by local law. Be sure to check that sparkling devices are legal in your city, town, or county as local laws may change. You can contact your local sheriff’s office to ask whether your area allows the use of sparkling devices.
3. Users must be 18 years or older to use sparkling devices.

What’s Not Legal:

1. The possession and use of sparkling devices in cities with populations of more than one million people and where prohibited by local law, including New York City and the following counties: Albany, Bronx, Columbia, Erie, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange (prohibited in the Cities of Middletown and Newburgh only), Queens, Richmond, Schenectady, Suffolk, Warren and Westchester.
2. Fireworks and dangerous fireworks, including firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, spinners and aerial devices, are illegal statewide.

Tips for Using Fireworks Safely:

1. Children and sparklers are a dangerous combination. Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This is hot enough to melt some metals.
2. Never throw or point fireworks toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
3. Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
4. Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
5. Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
6. Always use fireworks outdoors. Never light sparklers or fireworks inside.
7. Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
8. If you are impaired by alcohol, don’t use fireworks.

While avoiding the use of illegal fireworks is the best way to prevent injury, people can also take precautions while watching professional fireworks displays. These include using earplugs to protect hearing, keeping a safe distance from the launch site, and leaving pets at home. If your pet is nervous around fireworks at home, please consult your veterinarian for ways to protect and comfort them.

Sales of sparkling devices by certified permanent and specialty retailers can only take place during the year from June 1 to July 5 and sales of sparkling devices by certified temporary stands or tents can only occur from June 20 to July 5. A list of registered sparkling device vendors and a video about avoiding injuries from fireworks appears here.

Adults are encouraged to provide children and teens with non-flammable alternatives to sparkling devices, which can be easily found at most retail stores including glow sticks and LED Items

About the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection

Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, X and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone.

The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or Facebook.

About the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES)The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. The Office of Fire Prevention and Control, part of DHSES, delivers a wide breadth of services to firefighters, emergency responders, state and local government agencies, public and private colleges, and the citizens of New York. The office advances public safety through firefighter training, education, fire prevention, investigative, special operations and technical rescue programs. The delivery of these essential services enables the office to make significant contributions to the safety of all of New York State.

For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on X and Instagram, or visit dhses.ny.gov.

About the New York State Department of Health

The New York State Department of Health has been overseeing the health, safety, and well-being of New Yorkers since 1901 – from vaccinations to utilizing new developments in science as critical tools in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. In the face of today's new public health challenges and evolving health care system, Health equity is foundational to everything we do to help all people achieve optimal physical, mental, and social well-being.

Adult Film Actor Justin Heath Smith, a/k/a “Austin Wolf,” Charged With Distribution Of Child Pornography

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and James Smith, the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today the arrest of JUSTIN HEATH SMITH, an adult film actor who uses the stage name “Austin Wolf.” SMITH is charged with sending and receiving hundreds of videos of child pornography via the Telegram application. Those videos depicted children as young as infants, including a video showing a 10-year-old child bound and raped. In addition to sharing child pornography via Telegram, SMITH is also charged with possessing hundreds of additional videos containing child pornography in his Manhattan apartment. SMITH was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky in Manhattan federal court. 

 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Justin Heath Smith received and distributed hundreds of recordings containing child pornography, including a ghastly video showing a young child bound, beaten, and raped. Our investigation into Smith is ongoing, and we urge anyone with information about Smith’s conduct to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue those predators who victimize children and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.” 

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “I want to make it clear: those who distribute child sexual abuse images prey upon the most vulnerable in our society.  Each image is a crime scene, leaving lasting scars on innocent victims.  The FBI is relentless in our pursuit of these perpetrators.  We will track them down, arrest them, and ensure they face justice for the harm they cause.”

According to the allegations contained in the Complaint:[1]

Between March 24 and March 28, 2024, SMITH, using an anonymous Telegram account, exchanged hundreds of videos containing child pornography with another individual whose phone was later seized and searched by the FBI pursuant to a search warrant.

An undercover FBI agent subsequently began a conversation with SMITH’s anonymous Telegram account.  In the course of those conversations, SMITH revealed details that confirmed his identity.

On April 21, 2024, the FBI executed a search warrant at SMITH’s Manhattan apartment, which revealed an SD card with hundreds of videos containing child pornography.

SMITH, 43, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of distribution and receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.   

The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. 

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI.  Mr. Williams urged anyone who has additional information about SMITH’s conduct to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or to submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Getzel Berger is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Former D.C. Corrections Officer Sentenced for Civil Rights Violation for Assaulting a Handcuffed Inmate

 

A former District of Columbia Department of Corrections Officer, Marcus Bias, 28, was sentenced to 42 months in prison followed by 24 months of supervised release for one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for assaulting a handcuffed inmate. Bias previously pleaded guilty in March.

“This defendant had a duty to treat people in his custody humanely,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendant is being held accountable for violently ramming an inmate’s head into a metal doorframe while the victim was handcuffed, surrounded by six officers and posed no threat. The Justice Department will vigorously investigate and prosecute such excessive force against prisoners and will insist that corrections officers respect the civil and constitutional rights of those entrusted to their care.” 

“Like any other law enforcement officer, the defendant had a duty to protect the constitutional rights of anyone who was in his care and custody,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “The defendant ignored that responsibility, when he assaulted and seriously injured an inmate who posed no threat.  Such assaults are civil rights violations that will be prosecuted.”

“Marcus Bias was sentenced for violently injuring an inmate and violating their civil rights,” said Special Agent in Charge David J. Scott of the FBI Washington Field Office Criminal and Cyber Division. “The FBI is charged with investigating those who violate a person’s civil rights, and it’s a responsibility the FBI takes very seriously. I would like to thank our partners who worked side-by-side with the FBI on this investigation in order to hold Marcus Bias accountable for his criminal actions.”

According to court documents, Bias, intentionally and without provocation, pushed a detainee’s head into a metal doorframe while escorting him within the Department of Corrections on June 12, 2019, causing significant injuries. At the time, the detainee, J.W., had his hands handcuffed behind his back, was suffering from the effects of O.C. spray, was surrounded by five other officers and was not resisting. J.W.’s injuries required emergency medical attention at a hospital.

The FBI Washington Field Office investigated the case.

Attorney General James Announces Indictments of Rensselaer and Orange County Medical Transport Companies for Stealing over $4.4 Million From Medicaid

 

Five Individuals Arrested for Illegally Overcharging Medicaid Millions in Fees

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the indictments and arrests of five Medicaid-contracted transportation providers and their seven companies for stealing over $4.4 million from New York’s Medicaid program through fictitious billing and illegal kickback schemes, as well as engaging in fraud and money laundering. Muhammad Rizwan Khan, Muhammad Usman Khan, and Farhan Khan of Orange County and their related companies, Tristate Express NY, Inc. (Tristate), Meditrans NY, Inc. (Meditrans), Empire Trans NY, Inc. (Empire), and A1 Class Car, Inc. (A1 Class), were charged with stealing over $3.8 million from Medicaid. John Gouzos and Richard Sehl of Rensselaer County, and their related companies Medi Cab Corp. (Medi Cab), Jay Auto Care, Inc. (Jay Auto Care), and Hojo Detail Center, Inc. (Hojo) were charged for stealing over $650,000 from Medicaid. Both sets of defendants were also charged with money laundering of their illegally obtained profits.  

“Using vulnerable patients to personally profit at the expense of New York taxpayers is reprehensible,” said Attorney General James. “New Yorkers should be able to trust that all levels of the medical system – from doctors and hospitals to the companies driving them to their appointments – are acting honestly. The illegal schemes these defendants engaged in not only exploited New Yorkers seeking care, but also undermined honest health care providers. My office will continue to root out fraud and abuse in our health care system to protect New Yorkers.”

Medicaid reimburses approved transportation providers for transporting Medicaid patients to and from covered medical services. Both sets of defendants allegedly operated schemes in which they illegally overcharged Medicaid for their transportation services. Between September 2019 and October 2023, the Khans and their companies paid Medicaid recipients to use their cabs, submitted claims for fictitious trips, and added fake tolls to trips that were far above any real toll that could be incurred in the area, regularly adding costs of up to $50 per trip. In total, they overcharged Medicaid by over $3.8 million. Between December 2021 and March 2023, Guozos and Sehl and their respective companies also engaged in fraud, submitting false claims for transporting patients from addresses that were substantially farther away than where they really lived. In total, they overcharged Medicaid by over $650,000. 

A key part of both sets of defendants’ operations was allegedly establishing kickback schemes involving Medicaid patients. These schemes allowed the defendants and their companies to illegally recruit customers who they could then use to fraudulently bill more rides to Medicaid. The Khans and their companies made weekly kickback payments to Medicaid recipients for signing up with their companies, which gave them the identification numbers needed to submit false claims. Guozos and Sehl paid numerous Medicaid patients a weekly kickback to request rides from addresses farther away from where they lived, allowing them to charge more per ride. New York state law strictly prohibits all medical providers, including transportation companies, from paying or offering to pay cash kickbacks to anyone in return for the referral of medical services ultimately paid for by Medicaid. 

In addition, both sets of defendants allegedly engaged in money laundering using shell companies they operated. The purposes of these money laundering schemes were to obtain the illegal proceeds of their frauds in cash and distribute kickbacks to Medicaid recipients they had recruited.  

The Khans and their companies were charged with Grand Larceny in the First Degree and multiple counts of Healthcare Fraud in the First Degree, each count involving fraud greater than $1 million. They were also charged with counts of Money Laundering in the Second Degree and additional counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing and violation of the Social Services Law.

Gouzos and Sehl and their company Medi Cab were charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree. They were also charged with two counts of Money Laundering in the Fourth Degree and felony counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing and Falsifying Business Records.

The charges filed in this case are accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

If convicted of the top count of Grand Larceny in the First Degree, Muhammad Rizwan Khan, Muhammad Usman Khan, and Farhan Khan each face up to 25 years in prison. If convicted of the top counts of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and Health Care Fraud in the Second Degree, Gouzos and Sehl face up to 15 years in prison.

The indictments and arrests were the result of a coordinated effort with the United States Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, the New York State Department of Health, the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, Medical Answering Services, the New York State Police, Orange County Sheriff's Office, Town of Crawford Police Department, Town of Crawford Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Attorney General James thanks them all for their partnership and assistance.

Reporting Medicaid Provider Fraud: MFCU defends the public by addressing Medicaid provider fraud and protecting nursing home residents from abuse and neglect. If an individual believes they have information about Medicaid provider fraud or about an incident of abuse or neglect of a nursing home resident, they can file a confidential complaint online or call the MFCU hotline at (800) 771-7755. If the situation is an emergency, please call 911.

MFCU’s total funding for federal fiscal year (FY) 2024 is $68,997,928. Of that total, 75 percent, or $51,748,448, is awarded under a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $17,249,480 for FY 2024, is funded by New York State.

Statement from NYC Comptroller Brad Lander on the FY25 Adopted Budget

 

In response to the budget agreement for New York City’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget announced by Mayor Eric Adams and Speaker Adrienne Adams, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released the following statement: 

“Because of broad public outcry and City Council leadership, today’s budget agreement restores critical funding to our public libraries and adds new funding for affordable housing. Unfortunately, this budget—and the process that Mayor Adams followed to advance it—still fails to provide the long-term fiscal responsibility, transparency, or enough investments in critical services like early childhood education and CUNY that New York City’s future demands.

“While the Administration made modest inroads in funding chronically underbudgeted items and maintaining stimulus-funded programs, the financial plan continues the longstanding tradition of underfunding known expenses, underestimating fiscal gaps, and clouding the City’s financial picture. Short-sighted cuts and selective restorations, without looking at longer term savings and efficiencies, do not provide the strong fiscal framework needed to allow this city and its inhabitants to thrive.

“We have consistently called for common-sense steps to modernize and reform the budget process: a formula for Rainy Day Fund deposits, target, size, and withdrawals; getting better control of claims against the City, which cost over $1 billion annually; an oversight process to determine whether PEG savings and efficiencies are actually realized or just for show; and paying our vendors on time. Unfortunately, this budget process makes no progress on them — and now the Mayor’s hastily-convened Charter Revision Commission has refused to consider them as well. 

“While the Council secured some funding for early childhood programs, this agreement fails to fully fund universal 3K and PreK nor allot enough seats for every preschool child with disabilities who needs one. At a time when working parents must contend with the rising cost of housing and living, every parent should feel secure that their three and four-year-olds will be able to jumpstart their education. I was glad to see the inclusion of $25 million for PromiseNYC to expand childcare for some of our youngest and newest New Yorkers. 

“This budget also fails to restore the Adams Administration’s cumulative cuts to CUNY—our greatest engine for upward social mobility for working-class young people. Half of our new nurses and a third of public-school teachers graduate from CUNY, which means underinvesting in our public colleges will shortchange our workforce—hindering us from securing our next generation of healthcare workers, educators, tech workers, public safety officers, and more.

“Housing affordability is the number one issue facing New York City’s working families, and the Council’s advocacy and public pressure resulted in a significant increase in capital funding for both NYCHA and for affordable and supportive housing development. The Progressive Caucus’ Homes Now campaign relaunched the defunct Neighborhood Pillars program, which saves at-risk rental housing and transfers it to community ownership and increased the funding for the Open Doors program to expand affordable multifamily homeownership. However, the Adams Administration’s refusal to fully fund the Council’s capital commitment asks is a huge mistake that will lead to the Administration falling short of its “moonshot” housing goals. In addition, we continue to have serious concerns about whether the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) can evaluate and underwrite deals to put this new funding to work in a timely fashion and urge that they implement the reforms we have recommended.

“Speaker Adams and Council leadership deserve credit for fighting hard to win restorations of funding for critical programs like Summer Rising, social workers in our schools, public libraries, and cultural institutions, which reflects the needs and priorities of New Yorkers. But let’s be clear: many of these cuts were never necessary in the first place. A budget dance of unnecessary cuts and last-minute restorations, with little focus on real long-term savings and priorities, fails to set New York City on firm fiscal footing nor prioritizes the most critical investments for our future.”

Following Two-Year Review, Governor Hochul Releases Final Interagency Extreme Heat Action Plan

 Interagency Plan Advances Governor’s State of the State Directive To Address Extreme Heat Impacts on Disadvantaged Communities and New Yorkers at Increased Risk of Harmful Health Effects

State Agencies Already Implemented Certain Recommendations in Advance of Last Week's Extreme Heat Weather Event

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the release of the State’s Extreme Heat Action Plan, fulfilling a 2022 State of the State commitment to help plan for and address the dangers and impacts of extreme heat on New Yorkers, particularly those in disadvantaged communities who are most likely to experience extreme heat’s harmful health effects. Development of the plan, led by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, focused on coordinating interagency efforts and mitigating local impacts of increasingly frequent and severe extreme heat events, while also helping ensure State investments prioritize disadvantaged communities on the front lines of heat exposure.

“As New Yorkers witnessed this past week, extreme heat weather events will only increase with climate change threatening the lives and livelihoods of many New Yorkers, particularly those in disadvantaged communities and communities of color,” Governor Hochul said. “This multi-agency Extreme Heat Action Plan helps address a full spectrum of heat exposure and risks, and builds upon our continued efforts to protect our most vulnerable residents.”

In 2022, Governor Hochul directed the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to develop the Extreme Heat Action Plan (EHAP) in response to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events caused by climate change. The EHAP Work Group convened more than 25 State agencies to collaborate with community partners, planners, adaptation practitioners, local government leaders, and academic experts on immediate- and long-term steps that address exposure to extreme heat, with a focus on alleviating inequities in disadvantaged communities. To help ensure the plan is evidence-based and prioritizes equitable adaptation, DEC and NYSERDA convened a Community Advisory Panel and a Scientific Advisory Panel to incorporate the perspectives of impacted communities and academia

The EHAP identifies 49 State-led actions and recommendations to address the structural drivers of heat vulnerability and its disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Populations identified in the plan as those most vulnerable to extreme heat include residents of low income and communities of color, Indigenous Peoples, certain indoor and outdoor workers, older adults and young children, expecting mothers, people with certain pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, people with disabilities, users of certain drugs and medication, justice-involved individuals, immigrants, people facing language barriers and people experiencing housing insecurity.

The plan prioritizes equity in adaptation by advancing solutions that provide technical assistance to local communities, scaling implementation of nature-based solutions to address inequities and reduce the urban heat island effect and enhancing equitable access to cooling at home and in public spaces. The plan can be found on DEC’s extreme heat website here and will be noticed in the Environmental Notice Bulletin on July 3.

Recommendations are grouped into four action tracks to help communities adapt to extreme heat:

• Action Track 1: Adaptation Planning and Implementation supports communities in their work-planning for extreme heat impacts and in coordinating adaptation activities. This track aims to empower local communities to equitably adapt by strengthening, promoting, and supporting a community’s capacity, or ability, to address health and environmental issues. This is achieved through support of additional regional planning and coordination, developing regional community resiliency networks, and deepening collaborations with frontline communities, schools, Indigenous Peoples, and other impacted populations, among other actions.
• Action Track 2: Preparedness, Communication, and Workers’ Safety ensures that the people of New York are informed and protected before and during heat events, including workers. This track promotes a community’s whole health, well-being, and resilience through actions that include the additional development of local and regional heat emergency plans, increased access to cooling centers, safe swimming, emergency shelters and clearer public messaging, among other measures.
• Action Track 3: Built Environment, Infrastructure, and Managed Spaces supports resilient and safe infrastructure and other built spaces. The goal of this track is to create built environments and strengthen community lifeline infrastructures that can provide relief from high temperatures and combat the urban heat island effect. This action supports prioritizing equitable access to indoor and outdoor thermal comfort such as reducing costs of energy and cooling equipment, and promoting thermal resilience, weatherization and decarbonization of buildings, among other actions.
• Action Track 4: Ecosystem-Based Adaptation prioritizes adaptation to heat by protecting and strengthening ecosystem service benefits and advancing nature-based solutions. This track safeguards and preserves ecosystems, biodiversity, and helps ensure that all New Yorkers have access to and equitably benefit from these life-sustaining benefits. Actions support urban and community forestry, develop best practices for maximizing ecosystem- and community-adaptation benefits of green infrastructure, and fund the training of arborists, foresters, and others to scale up the production of heat-adapted trees and seeds.

Implementation of the plan involves effective communication, coordination, and collaboration among federal, state, and local partners. State agencies and authorities participating in the EHAP Work Group are establishing an implementation committee that will meet regularly to coordinate implementation and support state agencies and authorities, as well as to receive, consider and incorporate public feedback on an ongoing basis.

DEC and NYSERDA will host two webinars to present and receive questions about the Extreme Heat Action Plan on July 9 from 2 to 3 p.m. and July 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. The webinars will include presentations from DEC and NYSERDA, along with other state agencies including the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the State Department of Health, that highlight the plan and provide additional information about relevant State initiatives and heat-health efforts.

The public will have ongoing opportunities to provide input on the Extreme Heat Action Plan. For additional information, visit DEC’s website.

New York State is taking additional steps to address extreme heat as provided in the interim recommendations, released in June 2022. These steps focused on rapid implementation to address acute needs while the EHAP Work Group developed the longer-term coordinated efforts that focus on mitigating extreme heat and the systemic inequities that exacerbate its effects. DEC is also in the final stages of negotiating a memorandum of understanding with a research team at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry to develop maps of heat exposure throughout New York State and tools to model the effects of land-use change and heat-mitigation projects under current and future climate conditions.

The plan is also complementary to the ongoing coordinated state response to extreme-heat emergencies led by DHSES. DHSES is a member of the EHAP Work Group and in June 2023 released an extreme heat-specific annex to the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.

With the likelihood of ongoing extreme heat this summer, New York State agencies also remain committed and ready to help New Yorkers prepare for heat impacts. Governor Hochul recently encouraged the public to follow a host of actions and tips to help mitigate and prevent deadly heat exposure.

Housing Lottery Launches For 234 East 203rd Street In Jerome Park, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 234 East 203rd Street, a five-story residential building in Jerome Park, The Bronx. Designed by Rise Architecture and developed by Yoel Mandel, the structure yields 22 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 20 units for residents at 130 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $99,086 to $161,590.

Residences come equipped with air conditioning, intercoms, and name-brand kitchen appliances, countertops, and finishes. Tenants are responsible for electricity including stove, heating, and hot water.

At 130 percent of the AMI, there are 20 studios with a monthly rent of $2,890 for incomes ranging from $99,086 to $161,590.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than August 26, 2024.

Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar - Queens Rockfest this Sunday!

Dear Friend,

This is your State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar

As we enjoy the summer, I am pleased to bring the Queens Rockfest back to our district! Join me this Sunday, June 30th from 11:30am-8pm at the Forest Park Bandshell for a day of live rock music in beautiful Forest Park. 

Queens Rockfest is a celebration of the musical talent in our borough. There will be eight incredible bands playing who all have roots in Queens. The event is FREE, family-friendly and fun.

For more information, contact me at rajkumarj@nyassembly.gov.

Very truly yours,

Jenifer Rajkumar

Assemblywoman, 38th District