JEFFERSON, Ohio (WJW) – A volunteer fire department in a rural community is losing nearly half of its staff after eight firefighters resigned during a village of Jefferson council meeting on Monday.

The mayor said there was an internal issue that legally cannot be discussed, and the fire chief asked the three captains to resign, which they did. But that motivated more fire personnel to resign in support.

“We did not fit the agenda of the new regime,” former Fire Captain Jake Rice said at the meeting, which was posted online. “We reported to a meeting representing growth and new leadership, only to be met with forced resignation.”

Rice delivered resignation letters to council and the mayor and voiced concern that 133 years of service and experience would be lost.

“None of us have had a

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