Lisa Backus
Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
PLAINVILLE, Conn. — The Connecticut Occupational Safety and Health Administration concluded there was no violation that led to the death of local volunteer firefighter Ray Moreau, who died after being struck and thrown in air by a fire engine valve that broke loose in July, according to a report.
The 60-year-old Moreau was among firefighters battling a residential blaze on Maria Drive when he was gravely injured, and he later died in surgery, officials said at the time.
He was entering a fire engine to get an air pack when a hose that had become entangled in the rear wheels of a different engine pinned him to the truck he was entering and was pulling him along to the cab, the report said. The entangled hose was attached to a 35-pound valve that broke free, the Conn-OSHA report said.
The driver of the truck that was entangled in the hose didn’t realize what was happening, the report said.
Moreau was struck by the valve and thrown six to eight feet into the air and 10 feet away, landing on the sidewalk, according to Conn-OSHSA, which investigates workplace incidents in Connecticut as a state agency.
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He was given medical aid immediately but later died from blunt force trauma to the head, neck, torso and extremities, according to the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, which ruled his death an accident.
He was a 35-year veteran of the department, hailed as a hero who died “answering the call,” officials said at the time.
“Ray has volunteered tens of thousands of hours to the community,” said state police Trooper Kate Coney during a news conference soon after Moreau’s death. “In addition to his service to the Plainville community, Ray was a loving husband and veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Firefighter Moreau was a consummate professional, dedicated servant, and will be missed dearly by his friends, family, and community.”
Based on its investigation, Conn-OSHA said no standards had been violated so no citations would be issued. The agency recommended that the Plainville Fire Department establish stand operating procedure guidelines, which outline annual evaluations of apparatus operators, the report said.
Conn- OSHA also said the department should establish training on situational awareness and that personal protective equipment, pump operations and hose deployment should be discussed on a regular basis.
The Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crimes Unit with the support of the Connecticut State Police Fire Explosion Investigation Unit and the Collision Analyst and Reconstruction Squad also were investigating the death, state police said in a news release issued at the time.
The case has been closed by Connecticut State Police, according to a spokesperson for the agency who said the outcome of their investigation was “unavailable” Thursday.
Plainville Town Manager Michael Paulhus said in July that Moreau gave countless hours to the community and was a good person, calling him a “fallen hero.”
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