Salisbury chief responds to citations

SALISBURY, N.C. -- Salisbury’s fire chief responded Wednesday to allegations that his department made mistakes while responding to a fatal mill fire in March.

“Let me first start with whether we refute anything,” said Chief Bob Parnell.  “We have not reviewed it thoroughly.”

By midday Wednesday, North Carolina’s Department of Labor handed down a citation report notifying the Salisbury Fire Department of alleged “serious” labor law violations.

Investigators began their review of the fire department on March 7, the day fire fighters Justin Monroe and Victor Isler died while battling the Salisbury Millwork fire.

Chief Parnell acknowledged that fire department radios failed that day because they are not waterproof. 

Monroe got this order while inside the mill building: “Go tell the fire fighters outside that we are fine,” said Parnell. 

Fire fighters are supposed to be within sight or sound of another fire fighter. 

“They could see each other,” said Parnell.  “The conditions were not of grave situation then and were meeting the standard.  On the way back is when the condition of the fire changed very rapidly and separated them."

Smoke and flames quickly filled the room where Monroe stood, according to the fire chief. 

The autopsy report showed that both Monroe and Isler died of heat exposure.

State investigators point to four instances when a fire fighter was not within visual or voice contact with another fire fighter.

"We are not convinced that these situations point to anything that would have changed the (deadly) outcome of this fire," said Parnell.

Investigators also accuse the department of not keeping adequate records to show that all fire fighters where tested to make sure their breathing gear fit well.

"Justin and Vick were fit tested in June when they were hired," Parnell said.

The state’s Department of Labor investigator also pointed out that the Salisbury Fire Department did not put in writing its policy to ensure respirator air quality.

"We have by practice evaluated that air twice a year through a third party vendor," said the chief.

Despite the alleged violations, the state inspector wrote, "it was clear that fire fighter safety was a top priority at the fire."

The fire department has 15 workdays to appeal the citation, which includes $6,500 fine.