ORLANDO, Fla. — After firefighters were exposed to dangerous asbestos while prepping an apartment building for live fire training in February, the city of Orlando and its fire department could face heavy violation fines.
WFTV reported that lab findings revealed high levels of asbestos on fire gear at the training building. Since the incident, the county’s environment protection division has been investigating. Although the city was issued a warning letter, the fire department received a letter for violating county code when firefighters removed the asbestos from the building.
The letter alleged that officials violated Orange County code, Florida administrative code and National Emissions Standards for Asbestos. According to the letter, the city failed to notify and submit, “a notice of the city demolition of asbestos renovation form” and “proof that a thorough asbestos inspection of the facility was done prior to demolition.”
The city and the fire department could face fines up to $25,000 per violation.