Charges laid in volunteer firefighter death

The Ministry of Labour has laid 11 charges in connection with the death of a volunteer fire fighter during a training exercise near Sarnia, Ont.

The Village of Point Edward and two of its employees — including the fire chief — are facing charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

On Jan. 30, Gary Kendall, 51, died while taking part in a mock water rescue exercise near the village of approximately 2,000 people at the mouth of the St. Clair River.

Ministry of Labour investigators were on the scene the day the accident occurred.

"The Point Edward Fire Department was conducting ice water training exercises in the water when a large ice floe came down the river, trapping one firefighter underwater," said spokesman Matt Blajer.

Kendall's fellow firefighters pulled him to safety, and he was rushed to hospital, where he later died.

An estimated 1,200 mourners, including firefighters from across Ontario, Ohio and Michigan, gathered for Kendall's funeral service.

Blajer said the charges relate to failing to ensure adequate prerequisite training and failing to ensure enough rescuers or safety equipment were on shore.

The village fire department is almost entirely volunteer, made up of 30 residents and a paid fire prevention officer and fire chief.

Point Edward Mayor Dick Kirkland acknowledged the charges, but said he wouldn't comment out of respect for the employees and the Kendall family until after the matter has been dealt with in court on Sept. 10.