JEFFERSON – A dramatic scene unfolded at the Jefferson Village Council meeting Monday as 13 volunteer firefighters walked out with their resignation letters after delivering a pointed statement criticizing new fire department leadership.
The resignations, representing 133 years of combined service, came just two days after Fire Chief Dave Locy and Assistant Chief Bob Gregg officially assumed their roles on Oct. 1. The departures reduced the volunteer force from approximately 21-23 members to 10 firefighters.
Firefighter Jake Rice addressed the council on behalf of the group, reading a prepared statement about an Oct. 2 meeting where the new leadership asked three captains with 55.5 years of combined service to resign. Rice emphasized that none of the captains had been spoken to about professional issues or had any disciplinary actions.
“We reported to a meeting representing growth and new leadership, only to end with forced resignations of three captains,” Rice said. “I have never been to a meeting where rules were read at the beginning that said, quote, ‘There will be no discussion.'”
Rice criticized what he characterized as an “iron fist” approach, telling council members they had appointed warriors “with an agenda that, if you do not fit, you are not welcome.”
The departing group includes all three Ohio state-certified fire inspectors and one of two state-certified fire investigators in the department.
Mayor Jim Chiacchiero declined to discuss details, citing legal restrictions on confidential personnel matters. However, he acknowledged longstanding internal issues within the department that had been under review for months through a careful process involving town administration.
“We did have open conversations with every single firefighter on the department and realized there were some longstanding issues,” Chiacchiero said at the meeting.
The mayor maintained that fire services would continue without interruption, noting the village can call on mutual aid from surrounding departments if needed. Village Administrator Steven Murphy stated at the meeting that several new applicants are in process and two former experienced firefighters are returning to support the team.
Later in the meeting, Chiacchiero confirmed the department has approximately 10 active firefighters and expects additional members to join within the next couple of weeks. He expressed confidence the department could continue covering Jefferson village, Jefferson Township and Lenox Township without issues.
In a written statement issued after the resignations, Fire Chief Locy defended the personnel changes, saying decisions were based on facts, documentation and the best interests of the department and community. He stated the changes came “only after a careful, months-long review process conducted by town administration and leadership.”
Locy emphasized the department “remains fully operational, well-staffed, and ready to respond to every call,” noting the current roster includes “ten active and highly experienced firefighters, including several of our top responders and long-standing members with decades of combined service.” He added that five new applicants are in process and two former experienced firefighters are returning.
“While some former members have chosen to step away for personal reasons, the men and women who remain are committed to one thing above all else: serving the Village of Jefferson, Jefferson Township, and Lenox Township with professionalism, integrity, and dedication,” Locy wrote.
Locy assumed leadership after longtime Chief Tom Lachey retired following 53 years of service, including 12 years as chief. Both Locy and Gregg have decades of experience with the department – Locy with 40 years and Gregg with 46 years.
The meeting drew more than 30 people in support of the resigning firefighters. After Rice’s statement was read, the firefighters and their supporters left the meeting.
The Jefferson Fire Department, founded in 1837, is a paid-per-call volunteer department serving approximately three communities in Ashtabula County. The department is not staffed around the clock and relies on volunteers responding when duty calls.
The village is actively recruiting new firefighters. Those interested can contact Jefferson Village Hall to begin the application process.
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