Former N.Y. Chief Suffers Head Injury Donning Gear in Station

Aug. 19, 2014
Verdoy Safety Coordinator Jason Wheatley is in a medically induced coma.

Aug. 19--COLONIE -- The Verdoy Fire Department is looking into an incident in the fire station that sent its former chief and current safety coordinator, Jason Wheatley, to the hospital over the weekend, according to a statement issued late Friday by Chief Brian Girard.

Wheatley suffered the unspecified injury while apparently responding to a emergency call for the smell of smoke at a location within the Verdoy fire district that was ultimately handled by the Latham Fire Department.

He was treated at the station by members of his department and Colonie Emergency Medical Services before being taken by ambulance to Albany Medical Center Hospital following the accident at 7:40 p.m. Saturday. At the request of his family, the department is not releasing Wheatley's medical condition, Girard said.

The district is conducting a review of the circumstances around the incident and cooperating with outside agencies investigating the matter.

"The commissioners, officers and members of the Verdoy Fire District, Verdoy Volunteer Fire Association, and Verdoy Auxiliary have Chief Wheatley and the Wheatley family in their thoughts and prayers as they endure through this challenging time," the department stated.

Copyright 2014 - Times Union, Albany, N.Y.

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