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Firefighters renew push for Walsh‑Kennedy recommendations after 2014 Back Bay fire, urging criminal negligence penalties for unsafe hot work
Summary
Boston firefighters and statewide fire organizations urged the committee to enact recommendations from the Walsh‑Kennedy commission, including tighter hot‑works certification and criminal‑negligence penalties, citing the 2014 fire that killed two Boston firefighters.
Firefighters representing Boston and statewide unions pressed the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security to adopt the Walsh‑Kennedy Commission recommendations to tighten rules, training and penalties for cutting, welding and other hot‑works operations. "Lieutenant Walsh and firefighter Michael Kennedy made the ultimate sacrifice," said Sam Dillon, president of Boston Firefighters Local 718, recalling the March 2014 Back Bay fire that killed two members of the Boston Fire Department. Senator Patricia Collins and union leaders urged creation of statutory standards aligned with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) training, criminal negligence definitions and a public notification system for non‑compliance. Collins outlined proposed penalties in draft language: fines up to $250,000 and up to five years' imprisonment for violations causing serious injury, and up to $500,000 and seven years' imprisonment for violations resulting in death, plus higher civil penalties for repeated noncompliance. Nut graf: Supporters said the Walsh‑Kennedy recommendations would strengthen training, certification and enforcement for contractors who perform hot work in occupied buildings and near vulnerable populations; they described the measures as preventive and life‑saving. Union witnesses described the 2014 incident as proof of the risk. Randy Greeley, legislative agent for Boston Firefighters Local 718, said the proposed measures would deter unsafe practices by contractors and could prevent future loss of life. "If they're doing the right thing... you have nothing to worry about," he said in urging passage. The Fire Chiefs Association and Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts both urged passage of funding and other public safety building bills as well, and submitted detailed written testimony supporting the Walsh‑Kennedy implementation bill and related measures. Ending: Witnesses asked the committee to advance the Walsh‑Kennedy package; no committee vote occurred during the testimony.
