The Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and the Escambia County Professional Firefighters, I.A.F.F. Local 4131 agreed upon a new
three-year contract that received board approval on Sept. 16, 2021.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement expired Sept. 30, 2018. Negotiations between the Union and County Administration were held on June 22, 2021, June 30, 2021, and Aug. 27, 2021, and the final meeting in which both parties reached an agreement was held on Sept. 9, 2021.
"The men and women of Escambia County's fire service put their lives on the line every day for the safety of our community," said Interim County Administrator Wes Moreno. "These negotiations focused on recruitment and retention efforts, which included an increase in wages. The Board of County Commissioners thank these employees for their dedication to protecting our community.”
According to the Escambia County Professional Firefighters new release, "The establishment of this new collective bargaining agreement is an endorsement to the collective bargaining process, and we are grateful to the County Board of Commissioners for their willingness to work together to address serious issues affecting our County and the Fire Fighters that protect it."
The base rate for each bargaining unit classification will be as follows:
Fire Fighter - 24 (Pay Grade A4) Estimated Annual Salary: $41,698
Fire Fighter - 9 (Pay Grade A4) Estimated Annual Salary: $41,278
Fire Lieutenant - 24 (Pay Grade B1) Estimated Annual Salary: $55,886
Fire Lieutenant - 9 (Pay Grade B1) Estimated Annual Salary: $55,332
Fire Captain - 24 (Pay Grade B4) Estimated Annual Salary: $63,397
Fire Captain - 9 (Pay Grade B4) Estimated Annual Salary: $62,776
Battalion Chief - 24 (Pay Grade B8) Estimated Annual Salary $75,527
Battalion Chief - 9 (Pay Grade B8) Estimated Annual Salary $74,816
The pay rate for all current incumbents in each bargaining unit classification will be placed at the step closest to their current rate in the specified pay grade on the BCC Pay Scale without incurring a decrease in pay rate. In addition, a 2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) will be applied to each employee's rate.
Employees covered by this agreement will be eligible to receive any across-the-board or COLA wage rate increase that may be approved by the BCC and provided to all other county employees.
After being placed on the BCC Pay Scale in the respective pay grade, fire fighters will receive an increase as follows:
Fire Fighter - less than 1 year (Pay Grade A4) Pay Step B
Fire Fighter - 1-3 years (Pay Grade A4) +2% increase
Fire Fighter - 4-6 years (Pay Grade A4) +4% increase
Fire Fighter - 7+ years (Pay Grade A4) +6% increase
The county agrees to a wage reopener one year from the date the contract is ratified and each year thereafter through the duration of the contract.
Escambia County Fire Rescue proudly operates as a combination fire service, utilizing the talents and diversities of volunteer and career firefighting personnel. Career personnel operate in 14 stations throughout the county. Thirteen stations work a 24/48-hour shift and one station works Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteer firefighters operate out of numerous stations throughout Escambia County. Escambia County Fire Rescue also provides other emergency services such as hazardous materials response, special operations and ALS non-transport. Learn more about how to join Escambia County Fire Rescue. Follow Escambia County Fire Rescue on Facebook.
