NEW FLORENCE, Pa. — An assistant fire chief facing charges for having sex with a female junior firefighter is back on duty before his case is heard in court.
WTAE reported that Chief Kenny Steiner, with the New Florence (Pa.) Volunteer Fire Company, is facing 12 counts related to the alleged sexual contact involving a girl who had applied to be a junior firefighter in 2013.
Steiner’s preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 18, but he is back in uniform responding to calls and giving interviews to the media.
According to Phillip Ferris, an official with the department, a panel decided that Steiner could return to duty prior to the criminal charges but only in an administrative role.
Steiner’s wife, Sherry, is the president of the fire company but was not part of the panel to determine if her husband should be allowed to return to duty.
“We’re in the business of protecting lives and protecting property. That’s all I can say to you,” she said.