News Summary
The Elizabethton Fire Department has introduced a pay increase proposition to address staffing shortages and align salaries with neighboring municipalities. The current entry-level firefighter salary is significantly lower compared to cities like Greeneville and Johnson City. The proposed 15% increase aims to enhance pay competitiveness and improve staffing levels, ensuring better emergency response for the community. Additional salary adjustments for senior firefighting roles are also included in the plan, highlighting the department’s commitment to enhancing its workforce and overall operational efficiency.
Elizabethton – The Elizabethton Fire Department has proposed a pay increase aimed at resolving staffing shortages and making salaries more competitive with surrounding East Tennessee municipalities. The entry-level pay for firefighters in Elizabethton is currently set at $35,139, which is notably lower than the average pay in nearby cities. For instance, Greeneville offers entry-level pay at $47,327, Johnson City at $42,432, Bristol at $39,000, and Kingsport at $38,470. The proposed pay increase of 15% would raise the entry-level salary to approximately $40,409.85.
Currently, the Elizabethton Fire Department is short four certified firefighters—two in fire suppression and two in rookie school. Each shift requires a minimum of ten certified firefighters, but at present, one shift operates at the minimum staffing level of eight. This shortage has prompted concerns about adequate coverage and response times in the community.
The fire department conducts rookie school twice annually, meaning full staffing cannot be expected until mid-November at the earliest. A significant change in the proposed pay scale includes the consolidation of Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 classifications into a single rank termed Firefighter. The new proposed salary for this rank is $43,002.42, signifying a 17% increase for current Firefighter 1 positions and a 6% increase for Firefighter 2 roles. Newly hired firefighters are required to complete a rigorous four-month rookie school program and pass a certification exam before they can actively engage in fire-fighting operations.
In addition to the proposed pay increase for entry-level positions, the plan also includes salary adjustments for various senior firefighting roles. For instance, the salary for Engineer 1 would increase from $44,592.08 to $47,267.60 (a 6% increase), while Engineer 2 would see an increase from $46,824.44 to $48,697.42 (a 4% increase). Other proposed adjustments include increases for Fire Sergeant, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Marshal, Battalion Chief, and Fire Deputy Chief. Notably, there is no proposed increase for the Fire Chief.
The total budget plan for the Elizabethton Fire Department for the fiscal year 2025-26 is set at $2,863,034, which encompasses an additional $86,208 for the proposed pay increases. City Manager Daniel Estes has also indicated that an anticipated across-the-board cost-of-living adjustment could further elevate pay rates within the department.
In summary, the Elizabethton Fire Department’s proposed pay increases aim to address staffing shortages and make salaries competitive compared to surrounding municipalities. If approved, the changes could lead to improved staffing levels and potentially better emergency response capabilities for the community.
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Additional Resources
- Elizabethton Fire Department Pay Increase Proposal
- Wikipedia: Fire Department
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- Google Search: Bristol Tennessee City Council Budget
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