The need for Revolution
For years I have heard just about every firefighter I know offer a solution to common day
problems among fire departments. Most of these problems stem from first hand experiences here in
One issue we have is pay compression in our ranks. Recently this issue has gotten worse due to a raise given to the Paramedics and Intermediates. This raise was shelled out to correct another problem, retention. I agree with the raise, and I think that it is well deserved and the correct amount. What I don’t agree with is that we have made another issue worse.
Ever since the Fire Department merged with the EMS Department in 1995, the Paramedics have felt like red headed step children. Paramedics do not have any forward progression to move up other than becoming an officer on an Engine or Ladder company.
In case there is any question, the answer is yes. Just as we have firefighters who do not like
What I offer you is a solution. Realize that I am not a City planner, or one of those high dollar consultants. I am merely a firefighter. I am sure many of you will offer amendments to my ideas, I hope you do. Maybe this will offer some insight to possible solutions.
Current Pay/Rank Structure
| Pay Grade | Position | Starting |
| 11 | Firefighter | $31,213.52 |
| 12 | Lieutenant | $34,802.82 |
| 13 | 1st Lieutenant | $38,806.04 |
| 14 | Captain | $43,267.64 |
| 15 | Battalion Chief | $48,243.78 |
Proposed Pay/Rank Structure
| Pay Grade | Position | Starting |
| 11 | Firefighter | $31,213.52 |
| 12 | Paramedic (AIC) or Apparatus Technician | $34,802.82 |
| 13 | Lieutenant - Fire | $38,806.04 |
| 13 | Lieutenant – | $38,806.04 |
| 14 | Captain I – Fire | $43,267.64 |
| 14 | Captain I - | $43,267.64 |
| 15 | Captain II | |
| 16 | Battalion Chief | $54,494.96 |
| | | |
There are some other issues to be cleared up though.
EMT Pay (1st Responders)
Before the merge, the firefighters were given the option to become EMT’s. This began in 1991, and the pay was offered at $100 a month ($1200 yearly). Today, almost 16 years later, that pay has not changed once. The EMT pay is not added into the firefighter’s salary, therefore their raises are not figured on it, and it is not figured into their pensions. It is merely a stipend. However, the paramedics received extra money which is figured into their raises and pensions. Since everyone is so big on the Cost of living, let us look at the past 16 years and increase it by that much, and figure it in on raises (going back to the beginning) and pensions. This seems fair to me.
Hazmat Pay
I think that most of this money is reimbursed by the State, so you will have to battle that one at a higher level. Currently the HazMat Technicians/Specialists receive $100 a month. I am not sure when this started, but it is probably due for an increase, and make sure that it is figured into the raises and pensions.
As for the terminology changes, let me explain. The Paramedic or Technician pay grade is for Paramedics and Apparatus Technicians. All rookies will start out as pay grade 11, no matter their certification. Once they have been cleared as an AIC on the ambulance they will move up a pay grade. The testing for this level is held at the regard of being a nationally registered Paramedic or Intermediate. This pay grade is also for Apparatus Technician. This would require a test, similar to the newly rolled out Roanoke DPO thingy, without some of that nonsense (that is another post all together). Once you reach this level as a Technician you will be able to drive when the Lt. or Capt. is off. You could be a Paramedic and Apparatus Technician, but that doesn’t mean more money.
Lt. –
The fire Lt.’s would be the same as they are now; they drive the engines and ladders. The EMS Lt.’s would ride the ambulance, or backwards on the fire trucks, and be allowed to take command of
Captain I –
Captain I is the same as 1st Lt. now. The EMS Captain I would ride RS-1 and be allowed to transfer laterally to Captain I Fire. Captain I – Fire would ride the ladder trucks or in the case of Station 10, the engine.
Captain II
This is for senior Captains. The Captain II would ride the seat of the Engines.
Hopefully this would take away some of the pay compression, allow for progression of everyone, and equalize the extra “moneys” some of us receive. Let me know what you think.
10 comments:
why not put 1st Lts at single company stations,and Captains at all other stations.
I hadn't thought of it that way. It is an option.
That is how someone explained it to me, because than with more pay and rank would come more responsibility and employes to supervise.
You might regret asking me what I think about this issue,but here it is.When does one become a "senior" Captain? What do they have to do to achieve "senior" status? Should the Captain that supervises 2 or 3 people get the same compensation as a Captain that supervises 7 to 10 people? No need for EMS Lt.. Already have several Medic Lt's already trained and quite capable of fulfilling "acting" RS1 role. Want to fix some of the compression problem? Eliminate the 1st Lt. position! That skip of a pay grade was hard fought for to try and remidy the pay compression issues many years ago. What to do with the 1st Lt.'s? Make them Captains. If the Captain that they have been assigned to is doing their job, the 1st Lt.'s should have some experience supervising thier company. What about the "weak" 1st Lt.'s? We had "weak" Captains then and they were usually paired with a "strong" Captain or Lieutenant.It worked until the bottleneck 1st Lt. position was initiated. Take it from someone who actually worked in one, the double company stations worked well 95%-98% of the time. People only choose to remember the times that there was friction. Many of the people saying that it won't work never worked in a double company station with 2 Captains. The Captains that were committed to running a good operation did so. Also, most problems were worked out through the guidance of a strong shift Chief. Thanks for providing this forum for me to express my thoughts and feelings in a non-hostile environment.
I think we are on the same page. The whole reason for Captain II is for another step, or another progression for our Captains. There would be a set number of slots open for Captain II's.
We are an example of what happens when you try to fix something that is not broken. They were told 12 years ago what would happen with the pay and the 1st Lt position, but they knew better.
Pay is not the only thing they fixed!
Rhett, Looks like you have put some good thought into this. I appreciate the constructive dialogue it is generating. I hope the administrative staff are as diligent about reading your site as they are Bank's.
Your timing may be perfect. A new Chief always means changes. This may be the right time to start people thinking and talking about this issue. That way the new Chief can resolve it when she gets here.
The last time we got a new chief we got some changes alright. Quints, 75' aerials, 1st Lt's, reduction in suppresion staffing, personal vehicle washing privledges taken away, I can't wait to see what changes the "new" chief will come up with to make the Roanoke Fire EMS department the best it can be.
Bend over and get ready cause here it comes! My suggestion is to take it with a smile, those who make the most noise get extra.
everyone deserves a raise in pay, no question about that. you cant place ranked positions in catagories. eng 3 captians eng 6 capts see more command action then say arff capt or 4 eng capt. everyone cant work in busy stations. The promotion process should stand for something, remember I said should. maybe they should just tank the promotional process and just let the men and women nominate and vote for the vacated positions in the union meetings.( a meeting for union members held once a month to discuss events and issues involving the brothers and sisters of firefighting families and such)I support the firefighters and officers of Roanoke Fire-EMS. I think there is a change coming and it's up to each of you to stand together and support what the united vision should be, or "just cry about it" as you stand by and watch it all go down!!! and another thing, Thank you Chief Obenchain for all you taught us over the years. You are truly a role model for all of us, not only as firefighters but as men. It was an honor to have worked with you and I know you will be missed in stations all over. Not often does someone make such an impact in the lives of others as you do and you truly live what you preach and genuinly will leave a legacy for all to follow. I know I speak for hundreds when I say I will miss you and I love you in the spirt of the lord. God bless you and your family!
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