JEFFERSON, Ohio — The Village of Jefferson is working to move forward after more than half of its fire department resigned last week .

Thirteen members, including three captains, stepped down, leaving the department with only 10 active firefighters, five new applicants and two returning members.

The resignations prompted a safety committee meeting on Tuesday night, where village leaders addressed concerns from residents.

Jefferson Administrator Steve Murphy said the commitment moving forward is to rebuild a department where everyone feels "valued, heard, and proud to serve.” Murphy explained that he and Mayor Jim Chiacchiero were faced with something that could’ve long before been handled by previous administrations but instead was dropped in their laps. He added that no matter what p

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