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PAGE 10 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026

City Opens March Civil Service Exams, Offering Red Cross Responds to Support 158
New Paths to Public Service People in New York City Last Week

New Yorkers seeking stable ca- boilers, performing minor re- ment, design, construction, in-
reers with strong benefits and the pairs on heating, electrical, and spection, operations, and mainte- The American Red Cross in • Three households (19
chance to serve their communities plumbing systems, overseeing nance tasks, along with preparing Greater New York is helping 158 individuals) after a fire on 98th
have a fresh slate of opportunities cleaning operations, inspecting reports and correspondence. people after 19 emergencies in Street (3/6/26)
this month. The NYC Department facilities for needed repairs, and Interns may also operate motor the five boroughs between March In each instance, the Red
of Citywide Administrative Ser- maintaining safe, sanitary condi- vehicles as part of their duties. 2 and March 8, 2026. Cross Greater New York Disaster
vices (DCAS) has announced a tions. They also advise school Environmental Engineering Action Team provided emergency
new round of civil service exams officials on maintenance needs Intern The Red Cross responded to assistance to meet the families’
for March, spanning engineering, and develop work schedules to Applications accepted through help 72 people affected by seven immediate needs. Red Cross
facilities management, safety minimize disruption to classroom April 21 emergencies in the Bronx: emergency assistance may in-
operations, and more. activities. Environmental Engineering • Three households (seven clude care items, recovery plan-
Civil service tests are the Stationary Engineer (Electric) Interns assist with environmental individuals) after a fire on Asch ning, health services and other
gateway to thousands of essential Applications accepted through and fire protection engineering Loop (3/2/26) recovery resources as needed.
roles across city agencies—from March 24 tasks, including drafting, esti- • Two households (nine When a home is unable to be
maintaining school buildings to Stationary Engineers (Electric) mating, construction oversight, individuals) after a fire on Vireo reoccupied and/or has received
supporting major infrastructure operate, inspect, maintain, and operations, and maintenance. Avenue (3/3/26) substantial damage, the Red
systems. DCAS officials empha- adjust high- and low-voltage elec- Work may involve preparing • Nine households (27 Cross also offers temporary lodg-
size that the process is straightfor- trically powered plant equipment, specifications, reports, and field individuals) after a fire on Da- ing and/or financial assistance.
ward, and passing an exam places including diesel engines. Their inspections. Interns may also vidson Avenue (3/3/26) Any residents impacted by
candidates on the path toward work includes maintaining gen- operate motor vehicles as needed. • One household (nine these disasters who need help
meaningful, long-term public erators, pumps, transformers, mo- Civil Engineering Intern individuals) after a fire on Macy with their recovery and have not
service careers. tors, compressors, switchboards, Applications accepted through Place (3/4/26) already connected with the Red
Applications for several titles and circuit breakers. They also April 21 • One household (two Cross should call 1-877-RED
are now open, with deadlines operate dual- and tri-fuel engines Civil Engineering Interns individuals) after a fire on Van CROSS (1-877-733-2767) and
throughout March and April. and perform routine cleaning, oil- support managers and engineers Nest Avenue (3/5/26) select Option 1.
March Exam Highlights ing, and minor repairs. with elementary civil engineering • Three households (15 RED CROSS MONTH began
Custodian Engineer (BOE) Chemical Engineering Intern work in the field, office, or labora- individuals) after a fire on Pauld- as a national call to action during
Applications accepted through Applications accepted through tory. Training may include design, ing Avenue (3/5/26) WWII for individuals to address
March 24 April 21 drafting, estimating, schedul- • One household (three growing humanitarian needs and
Custodian Engineers super- Chemical Engineering Interns ing, construction oversight, and individuals) after a fire on Bailey is observed annually each March.
vise and coordinate custodial perform elementary engineering operations. Interns may prepare Avenue (3/5/26) This work is made possible by
and maintenance staff in public work under direct supervision in reports, maintain records, and The Red Cross responded to more than 4,200 volunteers in
school buildings. Responsibilities the field, office, or laboratory. drive motor vehicles as part of help 49 people affected by seven New York City — who are part
include operating low-pressure Training may include develop- their assignments. emergencies in Brooklyn: of a nationwide Red Cross work-
• Five households (16 in- force, 90% of which is comprised
Council Analysis Identifies Nearly $1.7 Billion in Potential dividuals) after a fire on Suydam by volunteers — and generous
donors who provide them with
Street (3/3/26)
Resources For FY 2026 • One household (three the resources to help people in
(Continued from page 9) the beginning, the Council has ed through 2030. Average wages, individuals) after a fire on Clas- need. Every contribution mat-
ters — visit redcross.org to get
son Avenue (3/3/26)
advocated for a holistic approach on the other hand, grew robustly involved by making a financial
additional savings and revenue to identifying revenues and find- at a 5.9 percent annual rate in the • One household (two in-
opportunities that can be identi- ing savings to close our spending last reported four quarters, with dividuals) after a fire on Lawton donation, giving blood or plate-
lets, volunteering, or taking a
fied through the budget hearing gap. With the release of today’s the average wages of the securities Street (3/3/26)
process, both for FY 2026 and findings, we are optimistic that industry going up by 12.9 percent. • Two households (two class in lifesaving skills.
2027, and we will continue work- the City will be able to preserve New York City’s real estate individuals) after a fire on East ABOUT THE AMERICAN
RED CROSS IN GREATER
ing with the Administration to the services New Yorkers rely on market continues to show signs 49th Street (3/5/26) NEW YORK
ensure the City’s finances remain most, while navigating our ongo- of rebounding, with Manhat- • One household (two in-
strong while protecting this criti- ing budget process, and we look tan’s high-end offices recording dividuals) after a fire on Moore The American Red Cross
in Greater New York serves
cal safeguard.” forward to collaborating with the the largest annual leasing activ- Street (3/6/26) more than 12 million people in
The Council’s March economic Administration.” ity since 2019 as of December. • One household (two in-
forecast estimates $386 million As for the bigger picture, the Manhattan office vacancy rates dividuals) after a fire on Himrod New York City, on Long Island,
in Rockland and Westchester
more in tax revenue than projected national economy continues to continue to decline, supported by Street (3/6/26) counties, at the U.S. Military
by the Mayor’s OMB for fiscal grow, with real gross domestic strong leasing activity in the Class • 13 households (22 in-
years 2026 and 2027, reflecting a product (GDP) rising 4.4 percent A office space and increasing dividuals) after a fire on Covert Academy at West Point and in
Greenwich, Conn. We respond
stronger long-term outlook for the in the third quarter and 1.4 percent office-to-residential conversions. Street (3/8/26)
City’s finances. That difference in the fourth quarter of 2025. The Residential sales volume contin- The Red Cross responded to to an average of seven emergen-
excludes any increase to the City’s Council anticipates real GDP to ues to increase modestly, while help 10 people affected by two cies and disasters a day across
the region — home fires, floods,
overall property tax rate. grow at 2.5 percent in 2026. At the sales value appreciation has been emergencies in Manhattan: building collapses and more —
The forecast projects the City’s same time, the forecast notes that more pronounced due to limited • One household (four in- providing shelter, food, clothing
tax revenues will continue to growth remains uneven across the inventory and continued elevated dividuals) after a fire on Freder- and emotional support at no cost
grow at an average of 4.7 percent workforce, with job gains concen- mortgage rates. ick Douglass Boulevard (3/2/26)
annually from FY 2026 through trated in lower-wage sectors. Fiscal Year 2027 budget ne- • Two households (six to those in need. We also collect
FY 2030, which is lower than the Employment growth in the gotiations are underway, as the individuals) after a fire on East lifesaving blood; teach important
skills that save lives; and support
5.5 percent annual average tax city has been primarily driven by Council hosts a series of oversight 68th Street (3/4/26)
revenue growth experienced over the home healthcare and social hearings from March 11 through The Red Cross responded to veterans, military members and
the decade of FY 2010 to FY 2019. assistance subsectors, which to- March 25 to examine the Mayor’s help 27 people affected by three their families. All of this work
is made possible thanks to our
The full economic forecast gether added 53,000 jobs, though Preliminary Budget and agency emergencies in Queens: dedicated volunteers and the
report can be found here. these positions typically pay lower spending plans for FY 2027 and • One household (six in-
“Today’s analysis reinforces the wages. Excluding these sectors, beyond. dividuals) after a fire on 232nd generosity of the American pub-
lic. For more information, visit
City Council’s commitment to be- total employment in the city de- The Council will release its Street (3/3/26) www.redcross.org/gny or follow
ing a responsible financial steward clined by 22,900. The Council’s formal response to the Mayor’s • One household (two in-
of our city’s budget,” said Council forecast projects employment to Preliminary Budget by April 1, dividuals) after a fire on Colden us (@redcrossny) on Facebook,
Instagram, X, or LinkedIn.
Member Linda Lee, Chair of the start rebounding in late 2026, but outlining priorities for the FY Street (3/4/26)
Committee on Finance. “Since lackluster job growth is anticipat- 2027 Adopted
Attorney General James And NYPD Announce Takedown of (Continued from page 9)
Stolen Vehicle Ring Operating in New York City

(Continued from page 8) The charges against the de- cember 2023, Attorney General
fendants are merely accusations, James announced the arrest of
The 92-count indictment and the defendants are presumed two individuals linked to multiple
charges Raulin Rodriguez, Jender innocent unless and until proven Honda thefts in New York City. In
Santos-Ulloa, Josue Dejesus Gon- guilty at trial or by plea. October 2022, Attorney General
zalez, Juan Tavarez Cabrera, and This is the latest example of James announced the takedown of
Jonathan Mercedes Silvestre with Attorney General James’ ongoing an interstate luxury vehicle theft
Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, efforts to address motor vehicle ring and fraudulent credit card
Criminal Possession of Stolen thefts. In December 2025, At- operation. In September 2021, At-
Property in the Second Degree, torney General James secured $9 torney General James announced
and other theft-related charges. If million from Hyundai and Kia the takedown of an auto theft ring
convicted, each defendant faces a for failing to install anti-theft
maximum of 15 years in prison. technology on new cars. In De- (Continued on page 11)