Jan 16, 2009 5:37 pm US/Eastern
Inspector Describes Boston Fire Trucks As Unsafe
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Safety consultant Ralph Craven describes the condition of the Boston Fire Department's fire trucks as unsafe.
WBZ
An experienced fire apparatus consultant has described the health of the Boston Fire Department's fleet as very poor and unsafe.
On Friday, Firefighter Union safety consultant Ralph Craven hopped into the cab of Boston's engine 55 as he inspected the vehicle. He then checked the brakes from below.
The fire apparatus safety expert has looked at about a dozen of the city's trucks and says from what he's seen, "They're not safe to drive, not safe to operate for the firefighters and the citizens."
Engine 55's control panel is duct taped in place but craven discovers a much more serious problem - oil in the air brakes, which he says could cause brake failure.
"It is scary. The guys don't like it," said Union Vice President Richard Paris. "They want the best equipment to work with."
The consultant was hired by the Firefighter's Union to do brake checks and inspect Ladder 26 after it careened out of control and slammed into an apartment complex, killing
Lt. Kevin Kelly.
In the wake of all the mechanical issues,
Mayor Thomas Menino has ordered the fire commissioner to hire four licensed mechanics.
Right now 13 firefighters do things like tire and oil changes and basic repairs.
"Our guys are doing the best they can," said Boston Fire Commissioner Rod Fraser. "This is a terrible tragedy. We should be coming together to make sure this doesn't happen again, and I think putting qualified mechanics is a good first step."
"It breaks my heart that we lost a firefighter over a maintenance issue," Craven said.
Craven believes the veteran firefighter didn't have to die and is surprised by what he calls the lack of maintenance at the Boston Fire Department.
Craven said regardless of who hired him, they would get the same report. He says he spent 14 hours with investigators going over Ladder 26, the truck lt. Kelley was killed in. Investigators will continue looking over the truck on Saturday.
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