Air-Pack Deficiencies Draws Fines for Borough Fire Department

The Stonington Borough Fire Department is being fine $300 by the Connecticut Labor Department's Division of Occupational Safety and Health for not having a "complete policy on the use of air packs and for deficiencies in air-pack training" according to a news item in the Day. OSHA was advised of the air-pack problem by a Borough firefighter who filed an official complaint on 9 July about the department's not having enough packs. Chief Hoadley had removed 7 of 14 air packs from service after they had tested unacceptable. A 12 July inspection by OSHA of the department found four air-pack violations plus other failures in training and policy regarding air packs. Chief Hoadley accepted responsibility for these findings and said he hoped the department would be in full compliance with regulations by 1 October. Fourteen new air packs have been ordered for the department, at a cost to the Borough of more than $69,000. Another air pack will be purchased by the Stonington Fire District. These should be delivered by the end of this week. Chief Hoadley and Borough Warden Don Maranell said they hoped that OSHA would reduce the fine if the fire department meets the 1 October deadline.