Pols Unite Around Fire Safety & Need For Burn Center
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams yesterday announced a borough-wide fire safety education campaign, following a fatal fire Saturday in Midwood that claimed the lives of seven siblings, aged five to 16, from the Sassoon family.
Adams also called for the creation of a burn center in Brooklyn, which currently has no such facility. The Sassoon family’s mother and one of her daughters are currently in critical condition at burn centers in the Bronx and Staten Island, respectively, after sustaining severe burns and smoke inhalation.
“We must turn our pain into purpose in the wake of this horrific tragedy, and the memories of the seven Sassoon children are the seven most important reasons for us to act with urgency,” said Adams.
Adams’ fire safety education effort will include multilingual outreach, including translation of materials in Spanish, Yiddish, and other key languages, as well as the distribution of free smoke detectors, examples of which were on display at his press conference.
Adams will join with Council Members Chaim Deutsch and Jumaane Williams along with Comptroller Scott Stringer, Public Advocate Letitia James, Congressmember Yvette Clarke, and Assembly Members Rodneyse Bichotte, Dov Hikind, and Helene Weinstein in the kickoff outreach tonight from 7-9:30 p.m. at PS 193 Gil Hodges, 2515 Avenue L.
Hikind Warns Against Scam Artists
Borough Park Assemblyman Dov Hikind, yesterday, put out a warning for residents not to be fooled by scam artists pretending to raise money on behalf of the Sassoon family, which tragically lost seven children in a fire this past weekend. Immediately following the announcement of the disaster, on-line fundraisers sprang up claiming to benefit the family of the victims.
“At this moment, Mr. Sassoon is in Israel attending to his children’s burial arrangements and we have been in touch with the Sassoon family’s rabbi who made it clear that there is no legitimate fund established for the family at this time,” explained Hikind.
“Our community is enormously impacted by this disaster and not surprisingly everyone wants to help, so we’re viewed as ripe for this type of scam which targets people when they are emotional and vulnerable. If and when there is a legitimate fund established at any time, we will share the information.”
Ortiz Battles Spread of Tuberculosis In Sunset Park
Sunset Park Assemblyman Felix Ortiz is joining with the NYC Departments of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and Parks & Recreation to offering tuberculosis testing and giving out information about the disease in Sunset Park
The outreach comes in response to recent reports of a spike in tuberculosis cases in Brooklyn.
The majority of cases are found among young adults born in China and living in (or connected to) the Sunset Park community. Patients often include immigrants working long hours in out-of-state restaurants and who remain in enclosed areas for lengthy periods.
According to Dr. Bing Lu, a physician at Universal Medical Service in Sunset Park, “accumulative stress from travel and long-hours reduces people’s immunity to disease. Living in or frequenting closed quarters such as crowded apartments, travel buses, or Internet cafes facilitates the incubation of disease.”
After learning about the outbreak, Ortiz initiated a 24-hour action plan, contacting local health care professionals, schools and community-based organizations. Groups were made aware of the outbreak and were encouraged to take preventive measures to protect students, patients and employees.
In an effort to ensure full community awareness, Ortiz will sponsor a free health fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 18, at the Sunset Park Recreation Center, 43rd Street and 7th Avenue. DOHMH will conduct free TB testing and workshops for at-risk members of the Asian community. Appointments are not required.
Health care professionals are encouraged to refer patients exhibiting symptoms (including fever or cough of several weeks’ duration, night sweating or weight loss) for testing. Patients who need further TB evaluation may be referred to a Health Department Chest Center and be provided treatment at no cost.
“Every 20 seconds, someone in the world dies of TB. The health and well-being of our community is a top priority. I want to ensure the safety of our residents. Through collaboration with local groups, we will take full preventative measures to maintain a safe and healthy community,” said Ortiz.
Williams Cuts Ribbon On Anti-Violence Storefront In East Fltabush
PHOTO CREDIT: Ernest Skinner, NYC COUNCIL
East Flatbush City Councilman Jumaane Williams recently cut the ribbon for the opening of a community based anti-violence center at 5712 Church Avenue in East Flatbush.
The non-profit Gangstas Making Astronomical Community Changes, INC. (GMACC), a violence interrupter group involved in the Gun Violence Crisis Management System will run the programming in the confines of the 67th Police Precinct.
