Part-Time OH Firefighters Receive Pay Bump

PERRY TOWNSHIP, OH—Trustees have approved a $1-per-hour raise for part-time firefighters.

The action is retroactive to Jan. 1 and will increase part-time pay to $15 per hour.

Board president Ralph DeChaira said the part-time pay was one of the lower wages among comparable area fire departments.

Officials wanted to make the rate more competitive and entice part-time employees to remain, he said.

"There are a lot of requirements for being in the fire department," DeChaira said. "They are required to work a certain amount of shifts."

He said vacancies come in waves, but the township must maintain employees to serve residents.

The department has 19 full-time firefighters, including the chief and deputy chiefs. They have about 40 part-time firefighters.

At Tuesday's meeting, the board also approved a contract for 45 sets of turnout gear at a cost of $97,495.

The township yard waste site at 1500 Jackson Ave. SW is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

The township will host its spring cleanup for resident from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the township Road Department, 1500 Jackson Ave. SW. No bags, boxes, garbage or commercial items will be accepted.

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