Allegheny Township fire departments out of service because of coronavirus exposure

Both of Allegheny Township’s fire departments are out of service because as many as 45 people may have been exposed to coronavirus at a July 4th gathering, WPXI-TV reported.

Township Manager Greg Primm told WPXI that a fire department member tested positive for coronavirus and potentially exposed those at the gathering held at Fire Station #1 on Saturday.

Four township police officers also are quarantining because they responded to emergency calls with the covid-19 positive firefighter.

Primm said Westmoreland County provided guidance from the CDC and Department of Health.

“We think people feel you either overreact or under react, there’s not a lot of middle ground there; being that we’re public safety we feel following the county’s guidance on this out of an abundance of caution is the only way to address it,” Primm said.

The fire departments could be out of service for at least 72 hours but possibly longer, according to Primm.

In the meantime, fire departments from Lower Burrell, Vandergrift and Oklahoma Borough will handle emergency calls within Allegheny Township.