Eight members of the Strasburg Fire Department resign this week; chief resigned last month

STRASBURG − On Wednesday, July 24, the Strasburg Fire Department posted a concerning note to the community: Nine — count ‘em, nine — firefighters and/or paramedics of varying levels had resigned.

That’s approximately 40 percent of the department. This comes on the heels of June resignation of then-Chief Steven Laskey .

“We would like to take a moment to bring some well-deserved attention to some of our members who have recently resigned,” the Facebook post read. “These members served our community selflessly, and with integrity over the past years, and will be greatly missed, by both us and the community.”

In addition to Laskey, the list included Assistant Chief Steven Joki, Captain Jordan Turek, Erik Raderchak, Brittany Joki, Josh Stamper, Matt McPhearson, Jay Wade and Elaina Berry.

When The Times-Reporter called the fire department, they said they were closing rank and file to comment but that, “We’re still providing services,” and there are enough people there to keep it running in the short term.

“Each of them left for their own reasons,” wrote Laskey by email under the advisement of his attorney. “I would not like to speculate why they left. I feel you would have to ask them to offer their reasoning.”

The Times-Reporter did reach out to Assistant Chief Steven Joki, who resigned, but he did not respond as of Friday afternoon.

Change in schedule

“I decided to resign as the new mayor altered the conditions under which I was hired,” wrote Laskey. “I was hired on a flexible schedule to accommodate my shared parenting." Mayor Bruce Metzger took office Jan. 1 after beating incumbent Steve Smith.

"Once that was altered, those changes affected me professionally and personally, leading to the decision of what was best for my home and family life,” he continued.

“We worked around that schedule so long as (Laskey) put in a 40-hour week,” Smith said. “I was never a micromanager. I gave him the reins and let him run with it.”

Smith said Laskey was given a $450,000 budget for payroll, equipment, and operational expenses, and charged with turning the volunteer fire department into a 24-7 operation, which he did.

“He upgraded the standards and qualifications of everyone and everything in the fire department,” said Smith. “He developed a great rapport and acted as a working member of the fire department when there was a personnel shortage. Everything was clicking just fine.”

So fine, said Smith, that it had become a “real working family.”

Laskey supports that notion. When asked if he believed the other eight firefighters resigned in show of support for him or for another reason, he responded with, “All I will say on this matter is that we all grew to become a tight-knit family and supported each other throughout my service as their fire chief.”

“I just think it’s a difference in managerial style,” said Smith, who served as mayor from 2019 through 2023. “The new mayor wants (the fire chief) there 9 to 5, and he wants more control over the department and its budget.”

The Times-Reporter reached out to Metzger for comment. He returned the initial call but did not return subsequent calls for comment.

The Times-Reporter also reached out to Village Administrator Mike Rosenberry and Council President Marty Zehnder. Neither of those calls were returned.

The Times-Reporter has submitted multiple public records requests for additional information.

“He did an incredible job,” said Smith of Laskey. “From January to the chief’s departure, the current administration was basically (disrupting his) work schedule, which was affecting his home life. So, he elected to leave and that is a great loss to the village.”

Losing a visionary

“He was willing to take a $60,000 annual salary when other candidates were asking for $80,000 or $90,000,” said Smith, who also noted that Laskey drove down to Strasburg from his home near Cleveland.

Laskey said it was worth it.

“The money and the driving were sacrifices I was willing to accept to accomplish my goals and help grow the department,” wrote Laskey to The Times-Reporter.

Smith said Laskey was a visionary who deserved better.

“For 2 ½ years he was moving the department forward,” said Smith, adding that Laskey was a constant presence in Strasburg as its fire chief. “He was becoming a facet of this community.”

While Smith would love to see Laskey come back, Laskey said he couldn’t comment on that possibility. Instead, he focused on his time at Strasburg Fire Department.

“We as a department built a new brand and new vision. We changed the department's reputation to develop a much better relationship with our neighboring departments,” wrote Laskey. “The members gave me a chance and allowed me to lead them and with their help made my vision a reality. The bonds built and the departments reputation are my biggest accomplishments.”

The Village of Strasburg is currently searching for its next fire chief.

The Times-Reporter has requested more information on the village’s next steps.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Eight members of the Strasburg Fire Department resign this week; chief resigned last month