Florence residents and firefighters urge council to reinstate Chief Mitch Snyder after forced resignation

Dozens of residents and active-duty firefighters packed a special Florence Town Council meeting to demand transparency and the reinstatement of Fire Chief Mitch Snyder after a forced resignation they said occurred June 22.

The most vocal plea came from Jared Farley, chapter president of Florence Firefighters Local 2260, who told the council the decision was "unacceptable" and asked officials to "gather the facts surrounding the town manager's decision to remove Fire Chief Snyder." Farley said the action appeared to be taken "under a veil of secrecy" while the town manager is preparing to retire.

Speakers throughout the public-comment period described Snyder — variously referenced in testimony as Snyder, Snider, Snder and Schneider in the record — as a popular leader who had built trust within the department. Florence Fire Captain Mike Sherm said Snyder created a succession plan he called a "roadmap" to address recruitment and retention and argued the plan "would have saved the town hundreds of thousands of dollars." Sherm said the chief was forced to resign "under duress," and asked the council to reinstate him.

Dr. Fernando Cortez, medical director at Florence Hospital and the emergency medicine base-station medical director noted in testimony, told the council Snyder had been instrumental in organizing a planned community paramedic program and warned the project's continuity is "definitely" at risk without Snyder's leadership.

Other commenters suggested short-term fixes to preserve department stability while the town manager transition proceeds. One emailed suggestion read into the record recommended negotiating a one-year contract with Snyder beginning Aug. 1, subject to council approval, "to provide stability and continuity for the fire department" while a permanent town manager is selected.

Town leaders did not take immediate action on personnel decisions during the public comment period; Mayor Eaton reiterated that council members may respond or request staff review but cannot act on unnoted personnel matters during open call to the public. The mayor closed the public-comment period after multiple speakers urged the council to gather facts and consider remedies.

The council is scheduled to discuss personnel matters and the town manager position in executive session under Arizona law following the meeting. No formal council directive to reinstate or contract with Chief Snyder was recorded in the open session.