MAROA - Maroa's fire department is left without a daytime shift, after nine members resigned Tuesday night at one of the regular meetings of the department's trustees.

Tom Rogers, president of the Maroa Countryside Fire Protection District Board of Trustees, said that if the members choose not to return to the department, the board thanks them for their service.

Rogers said several members of the department came to the board meeting Tuesday with concerns, among them seeking the demotion of Fire Chief Larry Peasley.

The board did not take any action in connection with the firefighters' concerns during the meeting, and they resigned after it ended, Rogers said.

Jamie Zombro, assistant fire chief and 13-year department veteran, was among those who resigned. Zombro said firefighters repeatedly have voiced concerns with the quality of training within the department and expressed a lack of confidence in Peasley's leadership.

"We want to make sure that the community knows that we're not doing this selfishly," Zombro said.

Rogers said the board could not comment on the concerns before taking more time to examine them.

"Any time you have a group that size expressing some safety concerns … it becomes important that you don't make snap decisions," Rogers said. "As time progresses, the trustees are going to be taking a more in-depth look."

Peasley said a difference of opinion is to be expected in any leadership situation.

"Everybody has their own opinion on how things need to be done," Peasley said. "If they have a lack of confidence, that's their decision."

Peasley said he has contacted nearby fire departments to work out a plan to cover the now-vacant day shift, and the department will aggressively seek new members with a recruitment drive.

"We're going to continue to answer calls and provide the level of service that we've always provided," Peasley said.

Another concern voiced by firefighters, including Scott Shofner, who also resigned, is that training within the department has not focused enough on hands-on exercises.

"There's a lot of computer slides on a screen, and they read it to us," Shofner said. "That's how our training's been the last year or so."

Zombro said this has made firefighters feel less safe when they respond to calls.

Peasley said the department's hands-on training has been comparable to that practiced by other departments.

"We've had hands-on training throughout the year," Peasley said. "We do as much or more training as anybody in this area."

Others who resigned include the battalion chief, two lieutenants and the department's safety officer. Zombro said there was a combined 96 years of experience among those who resigned.

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