PROSPECT PARK, PA—Jim Simmonds, the former Fire Chief of Prospect Park, has resigned following a controversial social media post related to an attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Simmonds stepped down after his remarks on Facebook, where he seemingly made light of the incident, sparked significant backlash and concern within the community.
In his resignation letter dated July 13, Simmonds expressed deep regret for his actions, stating that his comments were unprofessional and acknowledged the severity of the situation he referenced. He apologized sincerely to the residents of Prospect Park and the local council, emphasizing that his behavior was not representative of the values required of his position.
“Yesterday, Saturday, July 13th, I made a terrible mistake in posting an unprofessional post on Facebook. I sincerely apologize for my hasty social media post that made light of a serious incident. I take full responsibility for the offensive post and acknowledge that this behavior is not acceptable. I meant no harm to anyone and an attempted assassination of a former US President is no laughing matter. I am truly sorry that my actions as an individual now bring Prospect Park Borough and Fire Company into a negative light,” he said. “I know that my position requires me to always put the Borough and Fire Company in mind while posting or speaking anywhere in public. I am extremely remorseful for my actions and I sincerely apologize to you, the Council, and Prospect Park residents for putting you in this horrible situation. I am ashamed and embarrassed by my actions and I deeply regret my error in judgment. Because of my actions, I feel it is best that I immediately resign as Fire Marshall and Fire Chief. I acknowledge that it was a stupid mistake and I should have thought before I posted it. I promise to be more self-aware in my social media usage in the future. I appreciate the opportunity to have served Prospect Park and thank you for your understanding.”
Simmonds’ statement also included an apology to the broader community and an affirmation of his responsibility to consider the implications of his public communications. He admitted that his judgment was flawed and that resigning was a necessary step to prevent further damage to the community’s trust and the reputation of the fire department.
This incident serves as a reminder of the significant impact that public officials’ statements can have on their professional roles and the entities they represent.
