By Josh LaBella
New Haven Register
WETHERSFIELD, Conn. — The town’s volunteer fire department committed a “serious” safety violation and was issued a fine after an investigation into the death of a firefighter during the brush fire on Lamentation Mountain in Meriden last year.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a report that it fined the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department $640 after issuing a citation it classified as serious in connection with the death of 66-year-old Robert Sharkevich Sr.
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At 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 22, the report said, a firefighter was operating a utility terrain vehicle during response efforts at a brush fire on Lamentation Mountain in Meriden. While driving over uneven terrain, it said, the UTV rolled over and struck the firefighter in the head and neck.
The report said emergency responders arrived at the scene, but the employee died from his injuries. It said three additional firefighters sustained minor injuries and were treated without hospitalization.
The fine was issued on Jan. 27, the report said, and it was due to be paid by March 17. OSHA did not specifically name Sharkevich in the report.
The brush fire burned more than 100 acres, officials said. Multiple municipal fire departments, state agencies and the Connecticut National Guard were involved in battling the blaze and operations to contain it with all manner of equipment, including trucks, UTVs, helicopters and drones.
The incident came as much of Connecticut was facing abnormally dry conditions caused by very little rain that month, bringing with it official warnings of extreme fire risk. The fire on Lamentation Mountain was just one of many brush fires authorities responded to that month.
In the days following Sharkevich’s death, the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said it was caused by an impact injury of the head and neck during the accident.
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