Some Rittman firefighters have lost their jobs as a result of what is being called inappropriate behavior and actions.
City officials aren't saying what exactly the employees were accused of doing, but residents of the town of 6,500 are talking about the scandal, reported NewsChannel5's Jonathan Costen.
"It's a big shock because things like this don't happen in Rittman. I mean, everybody knows everybody," said Sherri Griffith, an employee at Rittman's This and That Store and Diner.
Whatever it was that happened has cost firefighters Angela Boyes and Ken Urbanek their jobs.
Firefighter Cale Bachman quit and two other firefighters were suspended for not putting a stop to the events that took place during the annual firefighter banquet, held at a private country club.
Residents are saying that the firing is a result of a sexual incident involving the firefighters, but officials are not getting into specifics.
This and That owner and former Rittman City Councilman Ralph Johnson said that if he still worked at City Hall, he'd ask for the removal of everybody involved in the fire department.
Rittman native Sandra Hall said that the fire department has always been outstanding and an example to the community, but she said that now she is questioning that image.
City Manager Robert Kellogg said, "They acted inappropriately, which was a detriment to the city. That's exactly what they did."
Kellogg said the fire chief will retire next month over other issues not relating to the country club incident.
The fire department has 33 paid volunteers, and Kellogg said the department will continue to protect the city.
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