Release: Yoon Resolution on Fire Equipment Goes to Council Hearing
Public Safety Committee Finds No Maintenance Policy in Place for BFD Vehicles

February 11, 2009

BOSTON - The Boston Fire Department has no policy in place for how to maintain and replace vehicles, the Boston City Council learned today in a Public Safety Committee hearing on Councilor-at-Large Sam Yoon’s proposal to evaluate the city’s maintenance of fire equipment.

Yoon said an efficient maintenance plan is critical to keep the city’s firefighters safe.

“Our firefighters already face more than enough danger every day,” said Yoon. “It is our responsibility to do everything we can to stop another preventable tragedy. We must make certain that firefighters’ equipment and vehicles are maintained at the right moment by the right people.”

In the weeks since Kelley’s death, there have been several reports of continuing equipment failures of Boston Fire Department vehicles. The incident also raised the issue of whether maintenance should be performed by firefighters or licensed mechanics.

The hearing included testimony from Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser, Local 718 Union President Ed Kelly, and head of the maintenance division, Deputy Chief Peter Laizza. Also in attendance were Lt. Kelley’s wife, Gloria, and over 40 Boston firefighters.