On July 1st, the Danbury garage gathered as they do each year to remember their fallen co-workers, below is the message that was delivered by Union member Jack Sweet.
“Today we are gathered here to remember 2 men that left for work on the morning of June 27, 1989, and never made it home. This tragedy happened because they got complacent with their work and did not follow safety protocols. On the afternoon of June 27th, 3 technicians, Ron Espitee, Joe DePanfilis and Andy Vena were chasing an underground air leak. Ron and Joe entered a manhole without testing, purging, and ventilating. It seemed like an acceptable risk as they would only be there for 5 minutes. What they didn’t know was that the air in the manhole was oxygen deficient. A silent killer that they had no way of predicting . No odor, no indications whatsoever. Just dead air. Had they just put a blower in the hole for a short time this tragedy would have been avoided. When Joe and Ron collapsed in the hole, Andy attempted to enter the hole to render assistance but quickly realized that something was seriously wrong and reversed to call for help. Had he not reversed course it would have been a third tragedy. Today and always, Andy lives with that terrible memory. We all have a job that can be dangerous in many ways. We work in manholes, buckets, on ladders, in roadways and in customers’ homes. It is imperative that we stay alert and diligent in practicing safety so we can all go home to our loved ones each day.
I knew Joe personally as I was just starting out in SNET as a cable rehab technician. I looked forward to sitting with Joe and Ralph at coffee each morning where we would discuss many things. Joe gave me insight and understanding on how to do my job and more importantly why it was so important. Unfortunately, I never got the chance the know Ron. Both of these men had young families that depended on them each day. They had young children that would now grow up without a father and wives that became young widows. This could have been avoided if they just followed proper procedure for safety. We have all been guilty of cutting a corner at one time or another. We should consider ourselves fortunate that nothing tragic has happened because of it. It’s not worth the risk because that’s when a life changing or ending accident can occur. I’m sure that neither Ron nor Joe had coffee that morning of June 27th and thought today is a good day to die. But it happened.
This garden here at the Danbury garage was planted and the memorial placed to remind us each and every day that safety is number one and what the consequences could be for an error in good judgement. Please be aware at all times, follow all safety protocols, and go home every night to the ones you love. I’ll conclude this with the Bell System Safety Creed: NO JOB IS SO IMPORTANT AND NO SERVICE IS SO URGENT THAT WE CANNOT TAKE TIME TO PERFORM OUR WORK SAFELY!!
