NY 1

Families of firefighters killed in the former Deutsche Bank building fire last August joined first responders and city officials in a rally and march to City Hall.

Leading the march was Joseph Graffagnino Senior whose son Joseph Jr., 33, died while fighting the toxic fire. It was the first time Graffagnino visited the site since his son and firefighter Robert Beddia died battling the seven-alarm blaze.

"It's very hard. It's very emotional," said Graffagnino Sr. "I'm hoping that they give me the strength to get through this, because I could tell you it's not easy being here. It's hard, but I'm hoping that going through this agony and this torture that the right people will listen and do the right thing."

Graffagnino praised the city for improvements made in fire and building codes since the tragedy, but he said there is still much work to be done.

"The Fire Department, of course, has basically a new fire department manual -- the first time in 100 years," he said. "And I think that's great. But there are still loopholes in the law that agencies can take advantage of and I think those loopholes need to be closed."

"I think what Mr. Graffagnino particularly is saying is we need all buildings to conform to the new buildings code, to the new fire code, and I think that's what we're trying to make a point here today in doing," said City Councilman Vincent Gentile.

Also on hand for the rally was Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, who said he is outraged by the fire and construction accidents in the city.

"What do you say to New Yorkers? You can't just say it's all about the Buildings Department," Stringer said. "We need to bring in the Police Department, the Fire Department, multiple agencies have to get their arms around this, because I don't want to say that this will happen again. I pray that it does not, but does anyone really think that we're safer now? I don't think so."

Councilman Gentile said several ideas are being discussed to make sites safer, particularly for firefighters responding to accidents.

"We're looking at a location system called radio frequency id, whereby you can actually pinpoint where someone is in the building based on what they're wearing on their uniform," said Gentile. "It's very preliminary, but we are looking at that, in addition to the best possible self-breathing apparatus."

Investigations into the Deutsche Bank fire discovered a broken standpipe failed to deliver water to the upper floors, making it difficult to fight the flames. The building also had sealed staircases and incomplete building inspections.

The district attorney's office, the attorney general's office, and the FDNY are all conducting further investigations into the Deutsche Bank fire.

Meanwhile, Saturday marked the one-year anniversary of the death of another firefighter.

Daniel Pujdak was killed while battling an apartment fire in Brooklyn. He fell four stories while trying to douse the flames.

It was later determined the fire was sparked by a lit cigarette left on a windowsill.

Pujdak, 23, had served less than two years on the job. His younger brother, Matthew, graduated from the fire academy in January.