Turkey Creek OKs Fire Department Salary Plan
By Ray Balogh
InkFreeNews
SYRACUSE — Turkey Creek fire and township advisory boards Monday, Nov. 9, approved Fire Chief Mickey Scott’s request to establish 2021 personnel salaries representing a 2% increase over this year’s compensation amounts.
The approval, in the form of the required resolution, set the following annual amounts for full-time employees:
• Fire chief, $64,272
• Deputy chief, $58,261
• Battalion chief, $56,160
• Captain, $54,340
• Firefighter/paramedic, $52,104
• Firefighter/EMT-A, $50,986
• Firefighter/EMT-B, $48,854; during probation, $1,879 per pay period
• Probationary firefighter/EMT-B, $45,238 for first year
All full-time employees except probationers will receive longevity compensation at a 1% increase over this year’s amount.
Hourly rates for part-time employees:
• Firefighter/paramedic, $16
• Paramedic, $14
• Firefighter, up to EMT-A, $12
• EMT, non-firefighter, up to EMT-A, $10
Compensation will be paid every two weeks, with 26 pay periods for the year.
The resolution also includes negotiated provisions for retirement funds, vacations and holidays, personal time, sick leave, bereavement, overtime, insurance, clothing benefits, performance reviews and training.
Both boards also unanimously approved payment of a $6,613.95 balance to vendor FMI for mounting tools in the compartments of the department’s new fire truck.
Fire Board
Scott presented his October report, which also included training statistics from September.
• The department responded to 18 fire calls and 121 EMS calls, with no fire damage reported in the territory.
• Department personnel completed 377 hours of fire and EMS training in September and 336 hours in October. Training topics included a review of emergency radio communication systems, operational checks and inspections, pump operations, SCBA drills, fire scene size-up, advanced pharmacology training and audit and review of EMS reports.
• The department is currently filling two full-time staff openings, a probationary firefighter/paramedic and a probationary firefighter/EMT. Anyone interested in applying for either of the positions may call (574) 457-5507 or pick up an application at Station 1, 402 N. Huntington St., Syracuse; or Station 2, 8138 E. McClintic Road, Syracuse.
Township Board
Turkey Creek Township Trustee Julie Close presented her monthly and year-to-date financial reports. During October, the township disbursed the following amounts for poor relief:
• Rent, $300
• Utilities, $2,872.63
• Food, $398.18
The board authorized Scott to pursue the donation of the department’s replaced fire truck to one of the fire departments in California incurring vehicular loss from the recent wildfires. The truck, valued at $40,000 to $50,000, will be sold if no such donation is feasible.
The fire board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, in Syracuse Town Hall. The township advisory board will meet at 7 p.m.