By EMS1 Staff
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — City officials are looking to bump firefighters’ pay to halt the rash of firefighters leaving for better-paying departments.
WYDaily.com reported that James City County firefighters, who are cross-trained in fire and EMS, could see a $3,000 to $6,000 salary raise to help curtail firefighter turnover. The raise will be voted on by the end of the month.
“I’ve seen a firefighter leave for as little as $1,000,” County Administrator Bryan Hill said. “If you continue to do things the same way and expect different results – it just doesn’t happen.”
Intermediate providers would receive $3,000 more per year and paramedics would receive $6,000 per year.
“Staffing has been our Achilles’ heel for a number of years, but we hope this is a big step in fixing that,” Fire Chief Ryan Ashe said.
The funds will not increase the department’s 2018 budget, but will be shifted from the overtime section of the budget.
“We need to keep these folks we’ve spent time and money on and show we’re committed to them,” Chief Ashe said.