Image

February 13, 2020

Four members of the Wyoming Fire Department have handed in their resignations and retirements.

Multiple sources say the resignations were prompted by the dismissal of three senior firefighters Tuesday night.

The district chief, lieutenant and a 26 year-veteran firefighter were dismissed by Plympton-Wyoming Chief Steve Clemens. In an interview yesterday, Clemens said a private human resources firm had been hired in December to start an investigation. That probe led to another investigation. Clemens says he reviewed both investigations and then let the members of the fire service go.

Clemens wouldn’t say what the specific issue was, but did say the investigation centered on issues concerning the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Multiple sources have told The Independent the firefighters were given no specific reason for their dismissal.

The Independent asked Mayor Lonny Napper if council – which Clemens says backed the investigations – approved of the dismissal of the three firefighters. He declined to comment saying it is a personnel issue.

Wednesday night, before a training session, multiple sources say the chief talked with the members about his decision saying they would be given more information in a week.

That is when the four senior firefighters criticized the dismissal of the district chief, lieutenant and senior firefighter – who had about 70 years of service combined – and announced their resignations and retirements.

The Independent has reached out to all the firefighters involved; all have said they aren’t ready to talk, yet.

The chief, in a text message Tuesday, said “These matters have now been closed.”

Share This

Image
Front Page

Gladu has no regrets as federal funding starts to trickle into Sarnia-Lambton

August 4, 2026

Cathy Dobson/Local Journalism Initiative Former Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu says the death threats and harassment she received after crossing the floor and joining the Liberals in April are dissipating. And more federal dollars have started flowing to her Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong riding, she said while speaking to reporters Tuesday. An estimated 75 per cent of people in contact with her are very

Read More

Image
Front Page

Mischief charges laid after RV sale near Dresden goes bad

August 4, 2026

The Independent A Wallaceburg man is facing charges after losing his cool while trying to buy an RV from a Tramway Road resident. Chatham-Kent Police were called to the home outside of Dresden after 3 pm July 31. Police found a man had come to the home to buy an RV. While he was there, the man was angry and

Read More

Image
Front Page

Copper wiring stolen from St. Clair Township business

August 4, 2026

The Independent Lambton OPP say $8,000 of copper wiring was taken from a St. Clair Township business. OPP say sometime between 5 pm July 27 and 8 am July 28, someone went into a business on Rokeby Line by cutting a hole in the perimeter fence. The thieves stole copper wiring and lightening rods valued at about $8,000. Police are

Read More

Image
Front Page

Interim chief tight-lipped about criminal probe stemming from Davis workplace harassment investigation

August 4, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent The Sarnia Interim Police Chief and board won’t be releasing further information about news the workplace investigation into suspended Chief Derek Davis is now a criminal matter. Interim Chief Mike Federico says that information, which became public after the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency released released the details in a letter, is not normally shared with the public.

Read More