SAN ANTONIO – Following the tragic death of local firefighter Scott Deem, rumors have been circulating on social media that City Manager Sheryl Sculley is not allowing outside agencies to help fill shifts for Deem’s funeral on Friday.

This information is not true, the San Antonio Fire Department said Monday morning.

“The utilization of outside agencies to staff SAFD fire stations is up to the sole discretion of the fire chief,” SAFD spokesman Joe Arrington said in a statement.

“A decision was made by Chief Hood that staffing our department with outside agencies would not be done; this decision was his alone and not made by the city manager,” Arrington continued.

Deem, a six-year veteran with the department, lost his life while responding to a four-alarm fire at the Ingram Square shopping center Thursday evening.

Two other firemen were pulled from the blaze Thursday; Brad Phipps, who is still in the hospital, and Robert Vasquez, who is currently recovering at home.

Deem is survived by his pregnant wife, Jennifer, and their two children.

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