Fire Department issues violation notice to Brunswick Executive Airport over fire suppression system failures

The Brunswick Fire Department on Thursday sent a notice of violation to the agency that manages Brunswick Executive Airport for failure to comply with fire protection system requirements.

Fire protection systems in the airport’s hangars 5 and 6 were found to be defective during two inspections in July 2023, and the airport authority did not provide any documentation to show that appropriate repairs had been made, Deputy Fire Chief Joshua Shean wrote in the notice.

The same type of suppression system was used at Hangar 4, where hundreds of gallons of firefighting foam concentrate were accidentally released into the surrounding area last month. The foam contained high levels of PFAS, or everlasting chemicals that are toxic even in small amounts.

The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Association, which oversees the airport, is required to submit a corrective action plan by the end of the month, Shean said in an email Thursday evening.

“Solving the problem of hangar fire protection is a complex process with many options available,” Shean said.

He added that Kristine Logan, executive director of the MRRA, told him the association already had a contract with Eastern Fire to repair systems and conduct annual inspections at both hangars.

This story will be updated.