The state has ordered the Key Largo Volunteer Fire Department to develop an employee safety plan to help avoid a repeat of an incident that could have claimed the life of a firefighter in early 2017.
The department, and its affiliated Key Largo Ambulance Corps, are contractors for the Key Largo Fire-Rescue and Emergency Medical Services District.
The Division of State Fire Marshal issued a letter to the department requiring a safety compliance inspection following a Jan. 16, 2017, incident when a firefighter fell unconscious after descending a stormwater trench where three road project contractors died due to a build-up of toxic gases inside.
Leo Moreno, an eight-year volunteer with the department, was unresponsive for five minutes after his attempt to save the contractors. Moreno was released after five days in the hospital.