Uniformed Firefighters Association head Steve Cassidy has proposed a change to New York (N.Y.) Fire Department protocols concerning water availability, according to the New York Post. In a letter to Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, Cassidy suggests a new radio code to alert everyone at a fire scene when water is unavailable. If engine companies have problems getting water to flames, this radio code would be sent out every five minutes until the issue is resolved.

These measures are in response to an August 2007 fire at the former Deutch Bank Building where it took more than an hour to get water flowing because of a severed standpipe, resulting in two firefighter deaths.

The New York (N.Y.) Fire Department told the paper that it was reviewing Cassidy's suggestions.