Borough President Wants Brooklyn Burn Center Following Midwood Blaze

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams yesterday launched a campaign to establish a burn center in the city’s most populous borough – and pledged funds for promising proposals – following the tragic Midwood fire that left seven children dead this weekend.

Currently, the only burn centers in the five boroughs are in Staten Island, Manhattan and the Bronx. Burn centers provide specialized care to critically burned patients that can increase survival rates and reduce recovery time.

According to the beep’s office, Brooklyn needs its own center. In 2014, the borough saw 8,041 structural fires, more than any other borough and 30 percent of the citywide total.

“Brooklyn’s lack of a burn center is not just an emotional burden to families who are removed from their loved ones; it is a potential medical liability,” said Borough President Adams at a press conference yesterday. “Burn center care, like medical services at trauma centers, has been linked to improved survival rates, decreased hospital costs, and shorter lengths of in-patient care. This is not just about borough equity; this is about providing the necessary medical infrastructure that can save lives. I look forward to addressing this gap in care and working to bring the first burn center to the borough.”

Adams asked both public and private hospitals to submit proposals, and committed funding from his office’s capital budget towards those he feels strongly about.

The borough president also touted a borough-wide fire safety education campaign following the Midwood fire, including an event tonight from 7pm to 9:30 pm at P.S. 193 Gil Hodges at 2515 Avenue L. Free smoke detectors will be distributed to attendees.