Brevard officials defend firefighter pay, as they discuss new contract offer to union

Brevard County officials are defending the $15-an-hour starting pay for their firefighters, as contract negotiations between the county and the fire union resume Friday. The county says firefighters make a decent annual salary, when taking into account how the pay builds up because of all the hours they work in a given year.

Firefighters, their family members and other supporters have been attending and speaking during the public comment periods at recent Brevard County Commission meetings to express their concern about the starting hourly pay, which they equate to that of a fast-food or retail worker. They say firefighters put their lives on the line fighting fires, and have residents' lives on the line when they are responding to a medical emergency call.

But Brevard County Director of Communications Don Walker contends that the pay comparison between firefighters and service workers is not fair. While the service worker may have a similar hourly pay as a first-year Brevard County Fire Rescue firefighter, the annual pay typically is much different from one another, Walker said.

Walker said firefighter pay is based on 24-hour shifts in the fire station, working three such shifts totaling 72 hours one week, followed by two 24-hour shifts totaling 48 hours in each of the next two weeks. They get two days off following each 24-hour shift.

Details of sheriff's proposed budget: Brevard sheriff sees budget increase as needed, as agency aims to recruit, retain deputies

Over a year's time, firefighters will work 2,920 hours, Walker said. A firefighter/emergency medical technician ― who can offer basic life support services ― will earn at least $47,013 a year, when built-in overtime pay and holiday lump-sum pay are included, he added.

Under the county's latest contract proposal, firefighter/EMT starting pay would total $50,147 a year, which would rise to $52,478 after one year of service and $54,917 after two years of service. This would apply to firefighter/EMTs with a high school diploma who have successfully completed EMT and fire school, plus a six-week orientation with Brevard County Fire Rescue.

Walker said fire medics who handle advanced life support services now start at $52,278 a year, with a base pay of $16.68 an hour. The county's contract proposal calls for them to receive $60,980 in their first year, $63,877 in their second year and $66,910 in their third year.

"Our focus is on getting a contract and on taking care of our people, with an emphasis on retention and recruitment," said Walker, who was speaking on behalf of county officials.

"Firefighters work a 24-hour schedule — 24 hours on, 48 hours off," Walker said. "The number of hours they work changes weekly, which is why we emphasize an annual salary to more accurately reflect their pay."

Firefighters' concerns

But union members and their supporters don't necessarily see it that way, as some of them focus on the relatively low hourly pay, rather than the cumulative annual pay for working 48 or 72 hours in a week.

Although firefighters are not actively on fire or medical calls throughout their 24-hour shifts, they are required to be in the fire station throughout that time span, prepared to respond to a call.

Firefighters also contend that BCFR's annual pay is significantly lower than pay for comparable fire services jobs in other counties. They say many BCFR firefighters leave their jobs after a few years or less for better-paying jobs in other counties or local cities.

Their union, Brevard County Professional Firefighters Local 2969, will resume negotiations with the county on Friday morning at BCFR headquarters in Rockledge. They plan to hold a rally beforehand outside the building.

Their current three-year contract expires Sept. 30, and negotiation have been going on since January, with sessions generally held every two weeks.

Local 2969 President Michael Bramson, who also is a lieutenant/paramedic with BCFR, said the union has provided a counteroffer to the county, and hopes for a response at the negotiating session.

Bramson said it's not only the pay for starting firefighters that's an issue, but also the pay structure for firefighters with all levels of experience, as well as working conditions and creating a better work/life balance.

"It's all-encompassing," Bramson said. "It's all about brain drain, culture, firefighters being away from families," including for unscheduled mandatory overtime shifts to fill a slot caused by someone calling in sick.

Bramson said many of the issues now are similar to ones the union faced in the previous negotiations three years ago.

With only about 10 weeks until the current contract expires, "it's causing anxiety and frustration," Bramson said.

County manager's message

In his July 12 budget message to county commissioners, County Manager Frank Abbate did not specifically mention the county's ongoing contract negotiations with the union representing Brevard County Fire Rescue employees.

But he did indicate that, in alignment with the County Commission's "goal to address workforce needs, our multifaceted approach has centered on recruitment and retention through wage growth, partnerships with local institutions, sponsorships and career advancement opportunities."

Abbate is proposing a 15.84% overall increase in the BCFR budget, to $146.64 million, for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

But the proposed increase for the pay and benefits expense line of the budget is just 6.73%, compared with a proposed 76.95% increase for capital expenses and a 17.30% increase for operating expenses.

BCFR is in the midst of several fire station construction and renovation projects, and is planning to make various equipment purchases on the coming budget year. Walker said BCFR is "following our commitment" to the County Commission to pursue the capital projects such as the fire stations.

In 2021, the County Commission approved a 29% increase in the annual fire assessment fees paid by property owners, in part to address firefighter pay issues. But the increased revenue generated by that action also went toward BCFR infrastructure and equipment. The fire assessment fees rose annually after that, in a formula tied to increases in the consumer price index.

Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com, on X at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard officials defend firefighter pay, as they push new contract offer