October 25, 2010
John
Straut, Acting Fire Chief
Joseph L. Intile, Acting Fire
Director
Fire Department
City of East
Orange
468 Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Blvd
East Orange,
NJ 07017
Re: 50 So. Clinton Street Unsafe Conditions
Dear Sirs:
CWA Local 1081 submits this request your department immediately inspect the County of Essex-owned building located at 50 South Clinton Street, East Orange due to confirmed reports that the fire alarm within the facility failed to sound on floors three, four and five during a recent evacuation caused by smoke emanating from an elevator. Additionally, it was reported that some emergency lights failed to function during the evacuation.
The County has failed to schedule, or carry out, fire drills in the building which is continually and severely overcrowded with as many as 3,000 clients visiting the site daily.
CWA Local 1081, the Union representing the non-managerial employees of the Essex County Division of Welfare, fears fiercely for the safety of our members assigned to the Food Stamp office located on the first floor and the lower level of 50 South Clinton Street. We fear as well for the safety of the State and other County employees working within the building along with the men, women and children visiting the site seeking services. I may be contacted by telephone at (973) 623-1081 and by email at cwa1081@aol.com.
Sincerely,
David H. Weiner, President, CWA Local 1081