Manhattan firefighter tests positive for COVID-19

MANHATTAN– The Manhattan Fire Department has been notified that a firefighter has tested positive for COVID-19. 

The firefighter started showing symptoms while off duty after a known exposure outside of work and is currently isolating at home, according to a media release from Manhattan Fire Dept.

“We continue to do everything we can to try and protect our personnel from this disease in order to allow them to continue to provide critical services for our citizens,” said Manhattan Fire Chief Scott French. 

The Manhattan Fire Department immediately started an investigation to determine if there was contact with other emergency personnel and the public in the course of their duties.  No contact with either occurred while on duty.  The Riley County Health Department is also conducting contact tracing to determine other contacts with the public and notify those individuals.  For privacy purposes, we will not be releasing any identifying information about the firefighter.

The Manhattan Fire Department will continue to provide fire, emergency, and inspection services to our community during this pandemic.  Staffing plans have been in place to make sure we limit exposure and still have adequate personnel to ensure we are able to carry out our mission. 

“It is our duty to faithfully serve our citizens, and I want to assure everyone we will continue to do so during this pandemic,” Fire Chief French said.  “By following federal, state, and local health guidelines the community can help us control the spread of the disease and protect our first responders.”