OSHA proposes fines against Branford fire department

(Branford-WTNH, Aug. 28, 2000 11:05 PM) The town of Branford is facing nearly $2,600 in fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for alleged violations in the fire department. Critics are pointing fingers at the fire chief for the department's latest troubles.

• News Channel 8's Leon Collins reports.

The Branford firefighters union has turned up the heat with a lawsuit against the department's chief. They say they want their day in court before someone else loses their life. The attorney and the president of the Branford firefighters union says the fines racked up by the fire department is proof that Branford fire chief Peter Buonome has not done his job.

Chip Walsh, Licari & Walsh: "We're concerned that there are continued problems that haven't been remedied. The job is dangerous enough."

Their concern is about new violations from the state labor department. Violations they say are frighteningly similar to alleged infractions cited back in 1997. Their fear is that another firefighter will lose his life the way 26-year-old Ed Ramos did back in 1996 on Thanksgiving day. The union feels Branford Fire Chief Peter Buonome has done too little, too late, and it's already costing the town.

Monday OSHA cited Branford for almost $2,600 worth of alleged violations. The proposed fines stem from investigations of the Branford Fire Department between July 6th and July 14th. The charges include accountability issues (not knowing which firefighters are where during an active fire), not providing annual refresher training for firefighters who were expected to respond to emergencies involving hazardous materials, and not providing quarterly educational sessions/training in the elements of interior structure fire fighting.

Buonome has said publicly before that he had repeated problems with scheduling training around vacations. The chief says he has addressed other problems as well.

Chief Peter Buonome, Branford Fire Department: "The violations are new violations and you can see the fines, that they were relatively small fines for people that were overlooked."

Buonome says his department has since implemented one the best fire ground accountability systems in the state. However, Deputy Chief Bill Pepe say Buonome has been slow to put into practice a system that he and other firefighters developed back in 1997.

Mike Manemeit, Firefighter Union President: "We take pride in our jobs. The atmosphere at the firehouse is we take pride in our jobs. This is an embarrassment for the department. We'd like these issues resolved."

The union alleges the chief has employed unfair labor tactics instead of doing his job.

The town has 15 days in which to respond to the proposed fines. The chief says he's already begun the appeal process with the state labor department.