SALEM, Ore. — At least 20 Silverton firefighters were exposed to COVID-19 while attending a training session in late November.
Two days after participating in the agency’s firefighter academy training Nov. 21, the person told the agency they were experiencing symptoms, according to officials from the Silverton Fire District. The training event was for new volunteer firefighters.
On Nov. 30, the individual was notified they tested positive for the virus.
Silverton Fire District assistant chief Ed Brambusch said the training took place at a tower at the district headquarters in Silverton where the volunteers were training for search and rescue inside a burning building.
Twenty members of the fire district who attended the all-day class “may have had high-risk exposure” while training. They were notified Nov. 30 of the possible exposure and instructed to get tested or isolate until Dec. 5.