The Augusta Fire Department has been sent at least three letters of complaint from the local firefighters association stating concerns about safety.
The letters by the Augusta Professional Firefighters Association Local 3357 have been sent since Sept. 21. An additional letter was sent by the International Association of Fire Fighters complaining about the way the city of Augusta has attempted to suppress the organization’s voice.
In a Sept. 21 letter to Augusta Fire Chief Chris James, Local 3357 President Charlie Coleman cites an instance in which a firefighter suffered a health-related injury during a training session Aug. 13. Coleman claims that conditions during the training posed an extreme threat for injury based on the heat stress index.
In the letter, Coleman said the temperature measured at the time of injury was 93 degrees. The firefighter was assessed and received treatment before returning for the rest of his shift without further evaluation, according to eyewitnesses. Coleman said no patient care report was completed, and he requested a full investigation.