Circleville, OH – December 13, 2024 – The City of Circleville has announced a settlement with former Fire Captain Micah Reese, officially ending his employment with the Circleville Fire Department following a months-long dispute over his disciplinary actions.
The settlement, approved during an emergency City Council meeting on December 10, 2024, comes after a series of events stemming from Reese’s failure to respond to a medical service call earlier this year. Initially terminated on March 14, 2024, Reese appealed the decision under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the city and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).
An independent arbitrator, after hearing arguments from both parties in September, ruled on November 7, 2024, that while disciplinary action was warranted, termination was too severe. The arbitrator reduced the punishment to a three-day suspension, a decision that was binding under the agreement.
City officials, however, believed a resolution beyond the arbitrator’s decision was in the best interest of the Fire Department and the Circleville community. As part of the settlement reached this week, Reese submitted his voluntary resignation, effective December 10, 2024.
Under the agreement, the city will provide Reese with monetary compensation equivalent to one year’s salary at the current Fire Captain rate, as well as payment for accrued but unused holiday and vacation leave balances.
Circleville Safety Director Rob Ware issued a statement emphasizing the importance of the decision:
“In the aftermath of the arbitrator’s decision, city leaders determined that reaching a mutually beneficial resolution was necessary to ensure the continued effectiveness of the Circleville Fire Department. This agreement achieves that goal.”
City officials reiterated their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism within the Fire Department, stating:
“The City of Circleville remains committed to providing the highest level of professional service to our residents. We will continue to hold all employees, especially those in leadership roles, to the highest standards of conduct to maintain trust and confidence in our Fire Department.”
The settlement marks the conclusion of a contentious episode that drew significant attention from the community. The city has indicated that further details of the agreement have been finalized and will not be revisited.
