Maintenance blamed in Boston fire truck death

BOSTON (FOX25, myfoxboston) - A board of inquiry says a number of factors, including lack of an adequate preventative maintenance program, contributed to a deadly fire truck crash in Boston.

Lt. Kevin Kelly was killed in January 2009 when the ladder truck he was riding on lost its brakes on a steep hill and slammed into a building.

In a 127-page report released on Monday, the board cited 15 "causative factors," including inadequate funding for preventative maintenance, insufficient manpower in the fire department's maintenance division, and the installation of improper parts by outside vendors working on fire equipment.
 

>> READ THE REPORT

The investigation was one of several into the accident.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino says the department has already implemented recommendations from previous reports, including the hiring of certified civilian mechanics.

Mayor Menino's Full Statement:

"We continue to implement changes recommended by the District Attorney's office from its independent investigation completed in December, including the hiring of certified civilian mechanics and a more robust preventative maintenance program. I commend Commissioner Fraser for his swift action after this terrible accident, executing these changes as they are critical to ensuring that a tragedy like this never happens again."

Statement of Fire Commissioner Roderick J. Fraser:

"Since the tragic death of Fire Lieutenant Kevin Kelley, the Boston Fire Department commissioned the services and received hard hitting reports from Mercury and Associates and Fleet Counselor Services. These independent reports presented a comprehensive blue print for improving the safety of the fire apparatus and the firefighters that staff them. Since receiving the reports the Fire Department has prioritized and instituted numerous key changes in the operation of its Vehicle Maintenance Division. The Department continues to work to implement the reports' recommendations."