On Dec. 18, during the surge of bills on the floor for the City Council’s final session of 2025, Queens Council Member Joann Ariola successfully passed several new bills to ensure the safety of firefighters and first responders working for the FDNY from harmful, cancer-causing chemicals, as well as add extra measures to ensure proper maintenance and transparency. Both bills centered on banning the chemicals received a wealth of support from other council members and passed almost unanimously, with only one legislator, Council Member Darlene Mealy, not voting in favor.
“Together, this package of legislation makes sure that our first responders will have the proper gear they need to keep protecting the people of this city while staying safe themselves,” Ariola added. “We need to protect our protectors.”
