The Asheville Firefighter Association is dealing with a staffing shortage and the fire union says its due to wages that are below the cost of living in the area.
Asheville Fire Department Capt. Welcker Taylor, the president of the Asheville Firefighters Association, explained to ABC 13 News the hardship the fire department is facing in keeping up with the cost of living In Asheville.
"There are, at times, three trucks out of service. Out of 17 companies that we have in the city, that's not ideal," Taylor told News 13. "We work 40% more than other Asheville City employees. What we are asking is the earning pay to 18.25 an hour -- that's the current living wage that's about to be the old living wage for the city. But that's a fair place to meet, in the middle."
Starting salaries for firefighters in Ashville begin at $15.88 per hour, Taylor said.
According to some economic reports, the cost of living in a one-bedroom apartment is $22.10 per hour.
Taylor said the fire department is now dealing with a staffing shortage that's impacting the department's readiness in an emergency,
"Last year, we had 25 people leave the fire department, and 16 of those people were people who quit," Taylor said. "Just in Buncombe County, we're losing guys to smaller county fire departments. West Buncombe pays 17% more; Enka-Candler pays 16% more."
