North Carolina Departments Cited After Blaze Claimed Two Firefighters

SALISBURY, N.C. --

The North Carolina Department of Labor released a report Wednesday that found serious violations in the Salisbury Fire Department.

The report is the result of an investigation into a blaze that killed two of the department's firefighters. Justin Monroe, 19, and Victor Isler, 40, were killed while fighting a fire at the Salisbury Millwork Company on March 7.

The investigation found major issues with the breathing equipment that firefighters count on to stay alive. It also states the firefighters did not follow proper procedure by having two firefighters together at all times.

The report found some of the firefighters' radios were not working. It cited four different times when a firefighter went off on his own and didn't have radio or visual contact with anyone else. Proper procedure requires at least two firefighters to always be together.

Salisbury was hit with three serious violations and a fine of more than $6,500.

Chief Bob Parnell talked to Eyewitness News Wednesday night after the report was released. He said there is always room to improve as a fire department, but he said he feels his department did its best.

"We're not convinced that these citations point to anything that would've changed the outcome of the fire," Parnell said.

The department is in the process of getting new, more durable radios which were identified as a problem.

Parnell said he had not been aware of a new regulation that required annual fittings, but was sure the two firefighters who died were fitted as recently as last summer.

Even though the report cites several problems, it also commends the department.

"While violations of occupational safety and health regulations were identified... the compliance officers found the Salisbury Fire Department to have a well-written and effective safety program," according to the report. "Additionally, it was clear that firefighter safety was the top priority at the fire."

Parnell said deadly dangers that come with the job took the lives of two of his men, not negligence.

"Nobody made an assignment knowing or even thinking Justin Monroe or Victor Isler were going to be hurt," he said.

The Locke Township Fire Department, which assisted in fighting the blaze, had two serious violations and one non-serious violation. It was fined $700 for not making sure everyone's breathing apparatus fit properly.

Investigators also had some recommendations specifically for the Salisbury Fire Department, including having the department investigate its radio problems and getting firefighters retrained on survival skills and the mayday call for help.

Both departments can challenge the report and ask for an informal conference.

PDF: Department Of Labor Letter To Salisbury Fire Department PDF: Salisbury Fire Department Citations PDF: Locke Township Fire Department Citations