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Ohio paramedics, firefighters to get pay bump

New starting pay rates of $15.50 and $16.80 an hour will make the jobs more attractive to applicants

By Michael D. Pitman
The Journal-News

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Fairfield Twp. trustees unanimously approved a significant pay increase to the township’s firefighters.

Pay will increase from a starting point of $11.30 an hour to $15.50 an hour for basic firefighters and $16.80 an hour for firefighter paramedics will make the job more attractive for applicants.

“This positions Fairfield Twp. for a more competitive compensation strategy,” Trustee Shannon Hartkemeyer said, adding that the new starting pay rates will make the jobs more attractive to applicants.

Fairfield Twp. voters passed a 3.9-mill public services levy last November.

Hartkemeyer said the Fairfield Twp. Fire Department currently has 68 on its roster, but they need more than 100 to have adequate staffing levels.

The decision by the board comes on the heals of the township’s decision to relaunch its efforts to replace its Tylersville Road fire station.

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