“We understand that when people hear that both chiefs are retiring they will assume something scandalous is going on,” Franklin Twp. Administrator Traci Stivers said in an email sent to public safety leaders in the area. “The truth is they let their cards expire. Steve had contacted the State Fire Marshal and was told that a Volunteer Chief didn’t have to have a card. Our legal counsel notified us yesterday that that is not true.”
The volunteer firefighter certifications for both Bishop and Daly expired in 2009, according to the Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services.
Morris said the certification lapse came to the attention of trustees just in the last few weeks and well after the retirements began being processed.
Bishop and Daly could not be reached for comment Friday.
Morris said both volunteer firefighters, each with more than 30 years experience, have been considering retirement for the past two years. He said the retirements did not have anything to do with the lapse in certifications.
“They decided that it was time to retire,” Morris said. “The trustees and firefighters have endless respect for them.”
Trustees will have a special meeting at 9 a.m. Monday to appoint a new chief.
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