The public can’t access fire extinguishers in the NYC subway

Tragic murder of a sleeping straphanger In Brooklyn this week a serious flaw in the city’s subway system was revealed – fire extinguishers are not available to the public.

Fire extinguishers are only readily available to MTA workers in track tunnels and booths, the transit agency confirmed Thursday, drawing outrage from local leaders who said the woman’s death could have been prevented.

“The MTA has a billion-dollar operating budget. “They invest millions of dollars in cameras at stations but they don’t have money for accessible fire extinguishers?” That enraged the Rev. Kevin McCall, who held a vigil for the yet-to-be-identified victim Thursday.

Question Why hasn’t it hit anyone? A woman rushed to help after she was set on fire in a sick attack by an illegal Guatemalan immigrant aboard an F train at the Coney Island station on Sunday. The disturbing video shows bystanders, including an NYPD policeman, walking right past the burning woman.

An MTA worker eventually brought the flames under control, but it was too late to save her – the victim was burned beyond recognition and is still unidentified.

in the wake of the tragedyThe MTA said it has no plans to install fire extinguishers on its trains or platforms.

“Fire extinguishers are available for MTA personnel and emergency services; The MTA does not use fire blankets, Dave Steckel said in an email.

Instead, train cars are equipped with signs that encourage straphangers to alert MTA crews of any emergency, including a fire. There are no fire extinguishers in trains.

McCall, founder of the Crisis Action Centre, also condemned the policeman who was caught on camera walking past the woman who was engulfed in flames.

Asked what he expected the officer to do without the available firefighters on hand, McCall said he should have found some other way to extinguish the fire.

“The officer could have taken off his jacket and wrapped it around the victim in an effort to help, he could have called for backup on his walkie-talkie, he could have run to find some water but he did nothing other than run. Didn’t do it, McCall said, back and forth, you can see it in the video.

City Council lawmakers echoed McCall’s outrage over the lack of access to fire-fighting equipment in the subway, which has an estimated 1.4 million daily riders, According to MTA.

Justin Brannon (D-Brooklyn), whose district includes the station where the killing occurred, called the “horrific incident” a “tragic culmination of the many broken and failed systems we are experiencing as a city, state and nation.” As dismissed: immigration, housing and homelessness, mental health, and crime and safety on our subways.

“We must do everything possible to ensure that this never happens again and we must ensure that the perpetrator of this terrible crime never gets a breath of fresh air.”

Joan Arriola (R-Queens), chair of the NYC Council’s Fire and Emergency Management Committee, expressed surprise that fire extinguishers were not readily available on the platforms.

“At a minimum, there should be safe fire extinguishers accessible to first responders and MTA personnel in the event of an emergency at every platform. “This seems like common sense, especially given the potential for track fires and other issues that may require a quick response,” she said.

David Carr (R-Staten Island) echoed Arriola’s sentiments, adding that flame retardants “should be in a known location at every station in case MTA workers or first responders need them and it’s ridiculous that they don’t.” This is a basic safety protection for employees and the public.”

Fellow Staten Island Republican Joe Borelli blamed the incident on the country’s ongoing immigration crisis, which has taken the brunt of the Big Apple.

“It is not clear why train platforms are not required to be equipped with fire extinguishers like other public buildings, but it is something the council should consider. Joe Biden took 94 executive actions at the border on day one and this poor woman paid the bill. Trump and Homan can’t come to our aid soon enough,” he said.

City Hall did not immediately return The Post’s request for comment.

Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, 33, has been charged with the brutal murder, but the motive for the crime is still unclear. He is due back in court on Friday.

The man – whose friends claimed was a heavy drinker And a K2 abuser – allegedly committed the disturbing act just five days after a damning report from the MTA inspector general was exposed. danger of collapsing subway,

During a sample-size audit, investigators found that seven fire extinguishers kept in emergency storage in the subway tunnels had not received their required monthly inspections. Some remained uncontrolled for three months.

Investigators also discovered that three emergency phones had no dial tone and an alarm box had a broken cover, among several other safety concerns.

Steckel said the MTA is working to address the shortcomings, but he did not elaborate on any specific plans.