In August of 2007, a fire in West Roxbury took the lives of two Boston City Fire Fighters. 

The fire ignited in the kitchen and spread into the kitchen exhaust system, where it burned in the duct work for over an hour.  The resulting investigation revealed serious deficiencies in the kitchen exhaust system, and a failure to properly clean and maintain the system.

In response to this, the Boston City Council passed an ordinance that will require certification for exhaust cleaners that do any work in commercial kitchens within the City of Boston. 

Effective May, 2009, all exhaust cleaners and inspectors must be certified through this program, and apply for and receive a certificate from the City of Boston Fire Department.