Uhrichsville City Council increases number, pay of part-time firefighters

UHRICHSVILLE ‒ City Council has approved increasing the number of part-time firefighters and raising their pay.

On Thursday, five members voted to increase their number from 10 to 15. The compensation change means that a firefighter with 36 hours of training will be paid $11 an hour in the first year of employment. At the top of the scale, a firefighter/paramedic with 240 hours of training will get $15.75 per hour after a year.

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Mayor Mark Haney said additional part-timers will alleviate the need to schedule full-time firefighters for overtime.

Councilman Matthew Fox voted against both measures. He said he does not approve of the part-timers getting a raise after a year. He said the city does not need to increase their numbers because the city has mutual aid agreements with other communities.

Councilwoman Amy Myers did not attend Thursday's council meeting.

In other action, Haney said he appointed Michael Maurer of Scott Street as city auditor, effective Feb. 24. The 66-year-old replaces Becky Carpenter, whose resignation took effect Dec. 31. She remains on staff as an assistant in the office.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Uhrichsville Fire Department authorized to have 15 part-timers