Rockland Post

Fire officials in Upper Nyack are raising serious concerns about emergency access and safety at a proposed school care facility.

During a public hearing, members of the local fire department and fire commissioners said the current site plan does not meet safety standards required for a facility serving children. A central issue raised was the lack of a clearly defined secondary means of emergency access and egress — a requirement under village and fire safety codes for school and childcare uses.

Fire officials explained that in the event of a fire, medical emergency, or evacuation, emergency vehicles could face delays accessing the site, while students and staff may not have a safe alternate exit route. Commissioners noted that reliance on gated or restricted secondary access could pose a serious risk during an emergency.

The proposed project would bring a significant number of students, staff, and daily vehicle traffic to the area. Fire officials said increased congestion could further complicate response times, particularly during peak school arrival and dismissal hours.

Village officials acknowledged the concerns and said the applicant would need to revise plans to address fire safety, traffic flow, and emergency access before any approvals could move forward.

Fire commissioners stressed that their comments were not meant to oppose development, but to ensure that any school or childcare facility meets life-safety requirements before children are placed on site.

The public hearing was adjourned to allow for further review and potential revisions to the proposal.