Fire department corrects OSHA violations

KENT — In a notice to the members of the Kent Volunteer Fire Department that was recently leaked to the press, Chief Eric Epstein informed the personnel that the fire department had been under investigation by the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In the letter, Epstein outlined some preliminary changes that would be made to bring the department into compliance.“As you know it has always been a requirement for interior structural firefighters to have a yearly physical on file with the department,” Epstein said in the letter, addressing one of the concerns. After meeting with the OSHA investigators, Epstein compiled a list of those department members who did not have a current physical on file, and suspended them from serving. The physical exam requirements include a respiratory medical evaluation questionnaire that was to be completed before fit testing Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).Further changes are planned to be made to get the KVFD up to the OSHA standards. Epstein did not return calls asking for updates on the department’s progress.

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