Plymouth Fire Chief Rod Miller and council member Don Ecker, Jr. presented information to the Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety and the Plymouth City Council members Monday night about the need for more full-time firefighters and paramedics.
Chief Miller said he’s having trouble maintaining staff members. Pay for full-time firefighters is not competitive with surrounding communities to entice personnel to stay. Information given to the board showed Plymouth as one of the lowest paying fire departments in the area.
Ecker, Jr. presented a list of recommendations to the Board of Works members on how to keep firefighters at the Plymouth station.
“Increase the base salary for the firefighters to $52,000 with the effective date to be determined by the council. The base salary for the paramedics gets increased to $52,000, but we also encourage and recommend a $2,500 stipend. We also recommend considering a reimbursement program for paramedic education with a minimum commitment of three to five years. We also would like to increase volunteer pay from $12 to $15 per call,” explained Ecker, Jr.
It is also in the future plan of the fire department to expand to build another station in the next few years to help better service the Plymouth, Center and West Township residents in their emergency needs.
Miller said his staff count is at 18 and he is looking to fill three spots.
The Plymouth City Council held a public hearing last night to take comments on an additional appropriation to increase the fire department’s budget approximately $118,000 to bring wages up to $52,000 for full-time First Class firefighters and $52,000 for paramedics with a $2,500 stipend. There was one comment for clarification. The council later unanimously approved a resolution regarding that additional appropriation which becomes effective in about 30 days. The Department of Local Government Finance will need to review the paperwork before it becomes active.
City Attorney Sean Surrisi reminded the council members that they will need to approve a salary ordinance amendment reflecting this change. That action will be taken at the next council meeting.
