Shaler accepts discipline of Undercliff firefighters accused of answering call while drunk

The Shaler commissioners have accepted disciplinary actions one of the township’s volunteer fire departments meted out in August following allegations some of its members responded to a call under the influence of alcohol.

The Undercliff Volunteer Fire Co. on Aug. 19 suspended three of the five members involved in the Aug. 2 incident. Of the other two, one resigned while the other was reinstated, the fire company said in a statement.

At the commissioners meeting Tuesday, President David Shutter read a statement in which he said the township was grateful to Undercliff’s board of directors “for addressing this matter quickly and dealing with an unfortunate situation.

“The township has reviewed the disciplinary actions taken by the board of the fire company, and at this time feels it is appropriate to defer to the company’s expertise in managing its personnel,” Shutter said.

The five Undercliff firefighters were alleged to have responded while impaired Aug. 2 to a report of an odor of smoke inside a home on East Genessee Avenue. The call was ultimately a false alarm, with no injuries or damages reported.

A resident filed an anonymous complaint with the township.

Undercliff had not released details regarding the suspensions given to the three members.

Shaler Township Manager Judy Kording said township officials understand that the suspensions were for 30 days.

John Klocko Sr., president of Undercliff, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday evening.

While Undercliff, one of six volunteer fire departments in Shaler, operates independently from the township, the township pays its vehicle, portable equipment and workers compensation insurance, and gives each department $18,500 annually.

The township’s statement indicated it will remain watchful.

“The township will continue to review any and all options available to ensure the safety of the residents of the township, including, if necessary, changes to its emergency response policies and procedures,” Shutter said.