Careers & Education

Second PA Fire Officer Resigns After Social Media Posts about Attempted Assassination of Trump

July 16, 2024

Prospect Park Fire Chief Jim Simmonds and Americus Hose Co. Capt. Tony Bendele stepped down after their controversial posts.

Susan Nicol

A second Pennsylvania fire officer has resigned after controversical social media posts about the attempted assassination of former President Trump.

Prospect Park Fire Chief Jim Simmonds apologized that his actions "as an individual" caused the fire department and borough to be cast in a bad light.

After Simmonds posted, "A little to the right next time please," he was met be instant backlash, according to WPVI.

Simmonds also resigned as the borough's fire marshal.

Borough leaders said they spoke with Simmonds on Sunday, "expressing disdain and extreme concern that such a grossly inappropriate comment was not representative of the government of the Borough of Prospect Park nor of its citizens."

The fire department's trustees also met after learning what their chief had posted on Facebook.

"The Prospect Park Fire Company does not condone this type of behavior by our members or our leadership. We are deeply saddened by Chief Simmonds' comments and agreed that it would be best if he stepped down in his role as Chief,"

Simmonds went on Facebook again Monday -- to announce his departure.

"I am truly sorry that my actions as an individual now bring Prospect Park Borough and Fire Company into a negative light. I know that my position requires me to always put the Borough and Fire Company in mind while posting or speaking anywhere in public."

Also on Monday, Americus Hose Company Capt. Tony Bendele stepped down after his Tweet about the assassination attempt led to hundreds of calls to the fire department and town officials.

Sunbury police also are investigating a bomb threat that caused the fire department to close for hours until an explosives-detecing dog could search it.

Americus President Jerome Alex said after Bendele resigned: "The Americus does not condone violence in any way."

He also offered his condolences to the family and fire department family of former Buffalo Township Fire Chief Corey Comperatore, who was killed at the rally.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.