ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The starting pay for firefighters has recently been the main cause of employee walkouts.
Christina Fleming, a retired Brevard County firefighter, said the retention problems are a sad and potentially dangerous consequence of poor pay.
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According to Brevard County officials, for “paramedics and FF/EMTs, the County has decided to keep in place a temporary State order that ensures all of these positions are paid at least $15/hour. The contract rates for these positions are lower than $15/hour, but the County has continued to pay them at least $15/hour.”
[RELATED: 100 firefighters left Brevard County in 2024 as pay battle continues]
A contract rate is as low as $13/hour.
Here are the starting rates for firefighters for the following Central Florida counties:
Brevard County
$15/hour with exception to yearly status, according to the 21/24 financial plan.
Flagler County
$15.91/hour with an increase in pay on anniversary dates according to Flagler County files.
Lake County
News 6 has reached out to Lake County officials and we’re awaiting a response.
Marion County
$15.25/hour with exceptions of yearly status, according to Marion County fire employee files.
Orange County
$22.72/hour while the firefighters are on a 40-hour week during a 10-week orientation. Once they are assigned a fire station and go on shift, the rate converts to $16.18 because they work a 56-hour week.
Osceola County
News 6 has reached out to Osceola County officials and we’re awaiting a response.
Polk County
News 6 has reached out to Polk County officials and we’re awaiting a response.
Seminole County
$25.19/hour while the firefighters are on a 40-hour week. $17.97 because they work 56-hour week.
Sumter County
$17.85/hour with exceptions of yearly status, according to Sumter County officials.
Volusia County
News 6 has reached out to Volusia County officials and we’re awaiting a response.
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