Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
The family of a Hartford firefighter killed in the line of duty on October 7, 2014, has filed suit against the City of Hartford, Fire Chief Carlos Huertas, Deputy Chief James McLoughlin, and Lieutenant John Moree.
Kevin Bell died of asphyxiation at a house fire on Blue Hills Avenue. Lt. Moree was in command of Engine 16, the unit to which Bell was assigned, and Chief McLoughlin was the incident commander.
The suit alleges a range of factors as contributing to Bell’s death, including:
- non-compliant SCBA
- lack of accountability
- known problems with the departments radio system
- lack of annual live fire and tactics training
- lack of training for Chief McLoughlin
- serious command errors
- FF Bell was abandoned in the building
- a mayday that was reported was neither heard nor acted upon for 8 minutes
The suit was filed Thursday in Hartford Superior Court by Bell’s brother, Shawn, who was appointed administrator for the estate. It contains 14 counts, including several that allege various forms of wrongful death, one alleging defamation, one alleging false light invasion of privacy, and negligent infliction of severe emotional distress.
Here is a copy of the complaint: Bell v Hartford
