VERONA, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- A New Jersey township temporarily shuttered one of its fire stations after several firefighters who attended an unauthorized holiday party there were exposed to COVID-19.
The Township of Verona temporarily closed Fire Station No. 2 after "a COVID-19 exposure… affected several members of the Verona Fire Department that attended a holiday gathering" at the building, Township Manager Matthew Cavallo said in a statement.
The gathering "was not authorized by the Township, and actions have been taken to ensure similar incidents will not happen in the future," he wrote.
"All members who may have been exposed directly or indirectly are required to quarantine pursuant to the guidelines promulgated by the CDC and NJ Department of Health," he said.
The fire department is still using Fire Station No. 1, and is working with local officials on "implementing a plan to return to full service," he noted.
"This will include measures to avoid future exposure incidents," he explained. "Our utmost concern is always the safety of our residents and the members of this department."
Cavallo didn't say how many firefighters were exposed to COVID-19, or say if any of the firefighters who were exposed tested positive for the virus.
