BOSTON --
A federal investigation into last year's deadly fire truck crash in Boston has led to new recommendations.
Federal officials said Massachusetts firefighters should be required to wear seat belts and that they should be better trained on how to operate air brakes before being allowed to drive a fire truck.
The findings are in a recently released report into the January 2009 crash that killed Boston Fire Lt. Kevin Kelley.
He was killed instantly when Ladder 26 lost brake pressure and crashed into an apartment building in Mission Hill.
Three other firefighters were injured. The investigation was conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
It concludes that there are four key factors responsible for the fatal accident: brake failure, inadequate maintenance, insufficient training and failure to wear seatbelts.
The report states, in part, "due to the severity of the fatal accident, a seatbelt may not have saved the victim, but is recommended as a good safety practice."
The Boston Fire Department said the commissioner is considering whether it will require firefighters to buckle up.
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