FD suspends jr. firefighting program after assaults

COVENTRY, Conn. (WTNH) -- A junior firefighting program has been suspended following the alleged assaults of junior firefighters by Coventry Volunteer Fire Association members.

The association released a statement Thursday in response to the arrests of 53-year-old former chief Joseph Carilli, and 35-year-old lieutenant Joe Fragoso. The two are accused of sexually assaulting members of the department's junior firefighter program.

"As a family, CVFA is greatly hurt by recent events, we remain committed to working hard to provide fire protection and emergency medical services to our community. We ask for your continued support for our crews in the field providing emergency services," the statement read.

It went on to say, "as part of our cooperation with Coventry Police and our town government, CVFA has temporarily suspended our nationally-recognized junior firefighting program, so that we can review related policies and procedures."

The Coventry Volunteer Fire Association is staffed entirely by volunteers and has approximately 80 total members including EMT's, EMR's, firefighters and non-emergency members.