New York City Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta was presented with the operating key to the Durst repeater communications system at 4 Times Square today, the first of nine buildings to be installed with repeaters.



Chief of Operations Salvatore Cassano demonstrated the new communications system, which will become part of standard operating procedure at all of the buildings in the Durst portfolio.



The Durst repeater will provide the Fire Department with an added layer of communication, enabling the Fire Department commander at the scene to speak directly with fire personnel in every corner of the building, from the sub-basement to the roof, through the use of a key-initiated system in the lobby straight to a firefighter's individual handie-talkie. Through the repeater system, the commander can give orders simultaneously to every firefighter in the building, including evacuation orders.



The Durst Organization, through its own private funding, undertook the installation of the repeater system. The Fire Department thanked the Durst Organization for their commitment to the safety of the lives of their tenants and all first-responders.