Local firefighters will be getting an increase in pay effective with the next pay period. The Red River Fire Department Board on Monday approved the changes to the pay scales that will result in more money for full time firefighters.  And the pay for part-timers is also increasing.

Fire Chief John Woodfin asked the board for the changes to put our fire department in a more competitive position in attracting both full time and part time firefighters.  The board consulted with their accountant and decided the increases would be affordable within the present budget.

Woodfin said the present pay for part timers is below that offered by surrounding parishes.  Woodfin said, “Red River pays $12 per hour across the board for part time work.”  He suggested a staggered scale, based upon the firefighter’s level of professional advancement.  “That will make what we offer more attractive to them, and our working environment is also very attractive compared to surrounding parishes,” added the chief.

At present the department has several full time vacancies.  In order to have 5 people on each shift, either more full time staff or more part timers are needed.  Discussion centered on the cost of a full time worker, who is also paid retirement and benefits, versus part time workers.  Currently the department must pay 34% of a salaried position into the firefighter retirement system, in addition to the pay given the firefighter.  They concluded that part time workers can be hired and still save the department money.

Full time firefighters are not being left out.  The board approved an incentive system to reward them for increasing their professionalism.  Chief Woodfin said, “When we start making EMS runs, we will need more qualified people on each shift.  We need to upgrade the training for our people.”  At present there is no incentive for earning additional certifications.

Here are the changes the board approved.

Full time firefighters will be given $25 per month for each extra qualification certificate they earned.  They can be compensated for up to four per month or $100 extra.

Part time firefighter pay will range from $13 per hour for basic firefighters, $14 for those who are EMS certified, and $15 per hour for those with paramedic certification.  In addition, part timers would get $100 holiday pay for working the 5 major holidays.