10-01-14 Mayor Andy Berke Implements New Pay Plan for Chattanooga Fire Department

At the press conference held at Fire Hall #1, Mayor Berke and IAFF, Local 820 President Jack Thompson signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which sets forth regular raises for fire personnel based on rank and years of service.

Our fire fighters should be proud of the way they were represented by the IAFF throughout this process and the leadership displayed by Chief Flint," said Mayor Andy Berke. "We ask our fire fighters to serve and protect our community, often in times of crisis. By putting in place a pay plan that is clear and consistent, we are serving and protecting these public safety employees."

Earlier this summer, the Berke Administration began working with Department leadership and the employee group, IAFF, to reach a solution that provides consistency and ensures pay increases are fairly allocated going forward. Approximately $500,000 has been allocated to fix the CFD pay structure.

"This was by no means an easy task," said Jack Thompson, President of the International Association of Fire Fighters. "That said, I want to thank Mayor Berke and his staff for listening to our members, CFD employees and CFD leadership. Their desire to work with us and fix this pay plan will be a huge benefit for our fire fighters and their families."

The MOU defines a mutual commitment between employees and the City to provide the best services while demonstrating the need for predictable raises based on years of service and rank (see attached Compensation Structure.) As with the Chattanooga Police Department pay plan, the agreement calls it "incumbent on the leadership of the City of Chattanooga to respect this Pay Plan and to fully support it in present and future budgeting."

"Not only will these changes support morale in our fire department, it will have a ripple effect on recruitment, retention, and development of our fire fighters. That is a good thing for Chattanooga, allowing us to continue to provide the best service to our community," said Chief Lamar Flint.