Fire fighters and emergency medical workers are trained to act quickly when danger threatens a community, and Trotwood, OH Local 4024 said that same urgency applied when a proposed city budget raised concerns about public safety.
The Trotwood City Council ultimately rejected the 2026 budget, which would have cut funding for five fire fighter positions previously supported by a federal SAFER grant. Emergency calls in the city have continued to rise, and Local 4024, with backing from the IAFF, and nearby Locals like Dayton, OH Local 136, argued the cuts would further strain a department already stretched thin.
“This is a small step forward in finding a solution to the budget issues we face,” Local 4024 posted to social media following the vote.
The staffing issue dates back to a 2021 FEMA SAFER grant that funded nine additional fire fighters.
“In February 2025, the grant ended,” said Local 4024 President Seth Haley. “We were told recently FEMA had changed some rules with SAFER, and it would no longer cover retaining fire fighters. The fire department and city agreed that if any of the nine left in 2025, those positions wouldn’t be refilled. We lost four people for various reasons and five remained.”
We sent letters to council members, but we didn’t get any responses. IAFF Strategic Campaigns helped us with our social media presence, and that helped get our story out.
trotwood, oh local 4024 president seth haley
According to news reports, the city initially allocated funding to support the remaining five positions, but during a November budget workshop, city officials told the union the positions would no longer be funded.
“It was sudden and out of the blue,” said Haley.
With the council vote set for Dec. 1, the union moved quickly. Haley reached out to IAFF leadership and regional partners, including Stephen Post, Local 136 president, and Ohio Professional Fire Fighters Association 4th District Vice President Jeff Moore.
“We sent letters to council members, but we didn’t get any responses,” said Haley. “IAFF Strategic Campaigns helped us with our social media presence, and that helped get our story out.”
8th District Vice President Mark Sanders said it was a team effort from start to finish.
“Through President Seth Haley’s leadership, Local 4024 showed strong determination in putting a plan into action, with IAFF field representatives supporting every step. The OAPFF, including President John Harvey and Moore, provided essential backing. The IAFF’s Strategic Campaigns team, led by Trevor Towey, offered crucial guidance that ensured success,” he said.
Through President Seth Haley’s leadership, Local 4024 showed strong determination in putting a plan into action, with IAFF field representatives supporting every step.
8th District vice president mark sanders
Local 4024 stressed that the timing of the cuts would have been especially damaging. Emergency calls in Trotwood have increased by about 15% over the last five years, and fire fighters warned that cutting staff could slow response times.
“Cutting staffing isn’t the answer,” said Haley. “We need as many people as we can get.”
Haley said the union is now focused on long-term solutions that protect jobs and maintain safe staffing. “In the coming weeks, we’ll work toward budget answers that keep our department fully staffed and able to provide the highest level of service,” he said, thanking the IAFF and the many Locals and leaders who showed up in support.
“This is the power of solidarity, which made all the difference for Local 4024 and the Trotwood community,” added Sanders.
