SHAMOKIN — The News-Item reports, Shamokin City council has suspended Battalion Fire Chief Stephen Jeffery and Friendship Fire Co. Captain Thomas Jeffery, pending further investigation, after a junior firefighter suffered second-degree burns during a training exercise in July.
According to The News-Item,William Wood said his 17-year-old son could have been killed during the July 2 training at the Selinsgrove Fire Department. Wood says both his son’s hands were burned.
The News-Item says, according to Pennsylvania State Act 155 from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner, junior firefighters are not permitted to enter a live fire unless they are 17 years-old and have permission from a fire chief and parent to participate in the training. The training also must be conducted under the supervision of a credentialed state fire instructor.
Other than Wood being 17 years-old, council members said the training met none of the other stipulations under Act 155.
Following Monday’s public meeting, council members said that there was enough evidence for the suspensions, adding that Steve Jeffery is an employee of the city since chief staff are paid a stipend. Jeffrey also serves as county public safety director.
The News-Item says Jeffery, who attended the training with his son and several other members of Friendship Fire Co., said in his report that Wood was wearing full firefighting equipment, including a helmet, coat, pants, gloves, boots and self-contained breathing apparatus.
