A federal lawsuit accusing an Ohio IAFF affiliate and several of its officers of unlawful conduct – including First Amendment retaliation and defamation of character – has been dismissed thanks to legal assistance provided through the IAFF Guardian Policy.
The case against Avon Lake, OH Local 1361 members was brought by the city’s former fire chief amid rising tensions between him, the city, and the Local.
“The IAFF and its General Counsel really had our backs on this one,” Local 1361 President Joe Harder said. “Within 72 hours after this lawsuit was filed, it had been approved for IAFF Guardian Policy coverage. Not only did the IAFF provide representation in court, but IAFF leaders and the lawyers were always available to answer any question we had.”
The IAFF Guardian Policy ensures affiliate leaders are not left to face costly, job-related legal battles alone, providing legal protection and representation when it matters most. The case highlights how IAFF members are protected when carrying out standard union duties.
Jeremy Betsa was sworn in as fire chief in 2019 when the previous chief, Chris Huerner, retired. Concerns about Betsa’s behavior and management decisions surfaced last year.
In 2025, Betsa made policy changes related to staffing, training, and overtime. Local 1361 leaders questioned whether those changes complied with the contract. After the concerns went unresolved, the union filed three grievances.
The grievances and other concerns regarding Betsa’s workplace behavior prompted the city to open an investigation.
Betsa disputed the claims and, in a blatant effort to intimidate the union and its officers, filed three separate civil suits in federal and local courts. One lawsuit targeted several members of Local 1361, alleging defamation of character, First Amendment retaliation, due process violations, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional damage, and employment discrimination. The other suits were filed against the City of Avon Lake.
Local 1361 contacted 8th District Vice President Mark Sanders and the Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters. Sanders recommended seeking General President Edward Kelly’s approval for legal assistance through the IAFF Guardian Policy.
Local 1361 President Joe Harder and his executive board were conducting standard union business by enforcing the provisions of their contract when legal action was taken against them by a rogue fire chief. IAFF Service Representative Dean Marks was on the ground supporting the Local and we immediately initiated IAFF assistance, guiding Local 1361 through the Guardian Policy process.
iaff 8th District Vice President Mark sanders
“Local 1361 President Joe Harder and his executive board were conducting standard union business by enforcing the provisions of their contract when legal action was taken against them by a rogue fire chief,” Sanders said. “IAFF Service Representative Dean Marks was on the ground supporting the Local and we immediately initiated IAFF assistance, guiding Local 1361 through the Guardian Policy process. With General President Kelly’s review and approval, the IAFF’s legal team provided prompt and comprehensive representation, and we were able to secure a just resolution in the case.”
Mark J. Murphy and Tamara Imam, attorneys with Mooney, Green, Saindon, Murphy & Welch, P.C., which serves as the IAFF’s General Counsel, reviewed the case and determined the plaintiff’s claimslacked merit. They then filed a motion to dismiss the claims against the Local 1361 members named in the lawsuit.
“The former fire chief’s allegations against the Local were completely unfounded,” Murphy said. “There was no evidence of any Local 1361 member violating any law or policy. We outlined all of our findings in a formal motion to dismiss the case. Ultimately, the city and the former fire chief decided not to take the case any further, opting for a settlement instead.”
The city attorney later reported that Avon Lake did not want to continue litigation and agreed to settle with Betsa.
Included in the settlement was the court’s dismissal with prejudice of all claims brought by the former fire chief – meaning they cannot be refiled against Local 1361,its officers, or its members.
