The fire department was cited with one willful violation for not providing efficient safety for its firefighters and three serious violations.
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The South Carolina Office of Occupational Safety and Health today released a report citing the Charleston Fire Department and the Sofa Super Store in the deadly June 18 fire that claimed the lives of nine firefighters.
The fire department was cited with one willful violation for not providing efficient safety for its firefighters and three serious violations.
The serious violations included not having specialized procedures for fighting fires involving metal truss roofs, not requiring body protection and not requiring self contained breathing apparatus at all times.
The violations totaled fines of $9,325.
The Sofa Super Store was cited with one willful violation and two serious violations. The violations totaled fines of $32,775.
According to OSHA, a "willful violation" is one where OSHA requirements are consciously or voluntarily disregarded. A "serious violation" is one that the employer should have known could cause death or physical harm to employees.
Charleston Firefighters James "Earl" Drayton, Melvin Champaign and Brandon Thompson; Captains William "Billy" Hutchinson and Louis Mulkey; Engineers Mark Kelsey and Bradford "Brad" Baity and Assistant Engineer Michael French died of smoke inhalation while battling the June 18 warehouse fire.
Firehouse.com will provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
