By Rockland County Executive Ed Day
I was encouraged to see State Senator Pete Harckham, Assemblymember Patrick Carroll, and Assemblymember Chris Eachus recently call attention to the need for stronger code enforcement, increased penalties for violations, and additional staffing to ensure compliance with New York’s Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code.
Their advocacy highlights an issue that has remained a priority for Rockland County for years.
In early 2024, my administration joined with the Rockland County Firefighters Association and a bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers—including Senators Bill Weber and Pete Harckham and Assemblymembers Ken Zebrowski, John McGowan, Karl Brabenec, and Chris Eachus—to announce a comprehensive legislative package aimed at strengthening fire safety and protecting lives across New York State.
The legislation was developed in response to hard lessons learned in Rockland County and was designed to address the systemic failures that can occur when building and fire codes are not properly enforced.
The package proposed commonsense reforms to strengthen code enforcement, support first responders, improve emergency communications, and hold negligent property owners and local officials accountable when failures in enforcement put lives at risk. It would also give the Secretary of State greater authority to investigate municipalities that fail to uphold building and fire safety standards and establish stronger criminal penalties for the most serious violations.
At the time, our state delegation stood together and pledged to work collaboratively to advance these reforms. The message was clear: public safety must come before politics, and protecting residents, first responders, and families should be a shared responsibility.
While this year’s legislative session has now concluded, the work is far from finished.
Every day that these measures remain stalled is another day that communities across New York lack critical tools to prevent tragedies before they occur. We cannot wait until another preventable disaster forces action. We already know what needs to be done.
I encourage all of Rockland’s current state representatives—and lawmakers across New York—to build upon that momentum and carry these bills across the finish line.
The bipartisan support has already been demonstrated. The need has already been established.
When you return to Albany, I urge you all to finish what we started. The safety of our residents, firefighters, emergency responders, and communities depends on it. With a one party makeup in Albany, Legislative leadership & Governor Kathy Hochul need to put their shoulders into this and get it done. Anything less is unacceptable.
Beth Cefalu
Director of Strategic Communications
Rockland County Executive Ed Day
11 New Hempstead Road
New City, NY
O: 845-638-5645
C: 845-781-3218