Council approves fire department 'per-call' personnel plan with $100,000 initial funding

The council approved a fire department personnel plan that shifts the department from a traditional on-call model toward a pay-per-call system intended to increase volunteer response.

Fire department leaders told the council they have been working on the proposal for roughly 21 months and described the change as a cautious, incremental step. Speaker 3 said the department’s base rate would be about $12 per hour and that the proposed contract includes an extra $100,000 in year one to help fund personnel costs. "Our base is gonna be $12 an hour," Speaker 3 said. The department reported a current roster of 29 volunteers, with one prospective member expected to join that evening and three applications pending background checks; council members noted an optimal roster target of about 40.

Councilors asked about scheduling and how the department would handle variations in responder availability. Staff and volunteer leaders said they will meet quarterly with township representatives and the city (Brian, Dave and Kevin were named as staff contacts) to monitor implementation and propose adjustments if necessary. After discussion and expressions of support, a motion to approve the personnel plan was moved, seconded and approved on a voice vote.

Next steps: the city will implement the pay-per-call plan and monitor outcomes with quarterly reviews by staff and the township.