BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Dozens of firefighters and supporters gathered for a rally Friday as contract negotiations picked back up between the firefighter’s union and Brevard County.
Firefighters have pushed for higher wages, as starting pay at Brevard County Fire Rescue can be less than $15 an hour.
“We’re underpaid,” Lt. Josh Madsen said. “We start at $15 an hour and for the first eight years they don’t move from there.”
Friday’s rally came after a group of firefighters urged county leaders to offer a more significant pay increase at the most recent commission meeting.
“We just ask for what’s fair,” Madsen said. “We don’t want to be rich. We just want to be fairly compensated for the job we do.”
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Commissioners have made a proposal, but firefighters said it’s not enough to keep up with inflation. The county has been reluctant to offer a higher increase as there are restrictions on raising property taxes.
The current contract for firefighters expires on Sept. 30.
Madsen said if changes aren’t made soon, morale and firefighter retention would continue to suffer.
“Brevard County Fire Rescue, we won’t survive seven years,” Madsen said. “This department will not exist (in) seven years if they don’t make changes now.”
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