NORTH COLLEGE HILL, Ohio — Around 75% of the North College Hill Fire Department — including all chief officers — is resigning, according to a post made to the department's Facebook page.
"It is with profound sadness that we write this post to inform you that effective at 6 a.m. on March 17th approximately 75% of the department, with nearly 170 years of combined service, have resigned their positions with NCHFD," says the post, signed by "the soon to be former members of NCHFD."
In addition to all chief officers, the post said the majority of lieutenants, senior firefighters and paramedics also resigned.
The announcement left many in the community, including the owner of Italiantte Pizzeria right next door to the fire department, worried about what would happen in a moment of crisis.
"Running a restaurant all kinds of things could happen,” owner Daniel Krimmer said.
Employee Diane Williamson said she would begin keeping an eye on her elderly neighbors.
“I’m like, it’s a shock," she said. "I can’t believe it because we need our fire department.”
The department's Facebook post said "many issues" led to the resignations, noting the "mental, emotional, physical and financial tolls have culminated to this breaking point."
"Thank you for trusting us with the privilege of serving and caring for you and your families in their times of need, it has been an honor to do so," the post says.
In a release, the city said it was "surprised" to receive the mass resignation letter.
"There has been an ongoing investigation into several issues and concerns that were brought to our attention regarding the fire department," the city said. "The results, to date, of that investigation did not provide the outcome they were looking for. Since this investigation is currently underway, we will not provide further comment at this time."
North College Hill said mutual aid partners in Hamilton County will assist them and there will be no interruption in service.
"We appreciate the service of our remaining firefighters and will collaborate with them to move forward," said the city.
On Saturday, the North College Hill Fire Fighters Local 5279 chapter released a statement from President Kyle A. Suttles about the resignations.
"Despite confronting limited resources and staffing, our members strive to provide the best possible services to the community," the statement reads. "However, the ongoing situation has put or members' safety at risk due to inadequate staffing."
While the city said there will be no interruption in service, Suttles said "staffing levels are projected to plummet to only two or three members on duty, significantly impacting [their] response times and straining neighboring departments."
The chapter, which is associated with the International Association of Firefighters AFL-CIO CLC, said the staff responds to more than 3,100 emergency calls annually from its single firehouse.
WCPO is looking into the many questions that arise from the mass resignation including how it affects the use of tax dollars raised as part of a recent fire levy, how the mutual aid response will work, and what issues lead to the "breaking point."
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