Garfield Heights city hall is closing ranks around Fire Chief Kenneth Strope after the firefighters' union delivered a vote of no confidence, saying the dispute has moved through the labor process and that emergency coverage is not in jeopardy. Mayor Matt Burke publicly reiterated his backing for department leadership while the administration and union keep talking. City officials say a settlement tied to the case adds six firefighters and insist resident safety is still the north star.
In a statement posted Tuesday on its Facebook page, the City of Garfield Heights said it had "received a vote of no confidence letter concerning Fire Chief Kenneth Strope" and noted that a factfinder had issued a ruling on many of the disputed issues. The post adds that the parties ultimately "agreed to a settlement that included hiring six additional firefighters" and presents those outcomes as part of the collective bargaining process, according to the City of Garfield Heights Facebook post.
What the city said
"The safety and well-being of residents is the city's highest priority," the statement reads. It also notes that Mayor Matt Burke "continues to have full confidence in Chief Kenneth Strope" and says the city "remains committed to working collaboratively with the firefighters' union to understand concerns and engage in productive discussions." In other words, city leaders are signaling they are standing by the chief while still at the table with the union.
Union background and bargaining
The Garfield Heights Fire Department is represented by IAFF Local 340, which serves as the exclusive bargaining unit for city firefighters under the current labor agreement. Local 340 regularly posts department updates and response information, including a March call at a vacant-house fire that was shared on the union's Facebook page and later noted in coverage by WOIO.
Settlement details and city documents
City council records and the 2025 to 2027 collective bargaining agreement reference Case No. 2024-MED-09-1018 and cite a factfinder report issued in October 2025. A memorandum of understanding attached to the contract outlines several negotiated items, including the settlement terms. Those materials are available in the city's agenda packet and on the Fire Department's web pages; see the City agenda packet and contract and the City of Garfield Heights Fire Department for full details and contact information.
What residents should know
City officials say the settlement and staffing commitments, including hiring six additional firefighters, are intended to keep emergency service levels stable while any remaining grievances work through the system. Leaders are urging residents to rely on official city channels for updates and say they plan to keep working with the union to uphold service standards and community safety.
