Council approves amendment to fire collective bargaining appendix to expand hiring eligibility

The Wichita Falls City Council approved an ordinance on July 1 amending the collective bargaining agreement with the Wichita Falls Professional Firefighters Association (International Association of Firefighters, Local 432) to add Appendix D and adjust hiring eligibility rules.

The ordinance moves two negotiated changes—raising the maximum hiring age to 39 and changing the eligibility-list timing to 18—so they take effect earlier than October 1. The fire chief told the council the measures had been agreed with association leadership and membership and that the department had 84 applicants registered for an upcoming test; the chief said moving the dates sooner may attract additional candidates.

Alba Total, president of the Wichita Professional Firefighters Association, praised the collaboration between staff and the union and said the change shows ‘‘a willingness for everybody involved ... to find a path to yes.’’ The council approved the ordinance by voice vote; the mayor called for those in favor to say "aye," and the motion passed.

The chief said the city will administer the written test on Aug. 9 and expects higher turnout. No financial appropriation was associated with the ordinance amendment at the meeting; it implements negotiated terms in the already-adopted collective bargaining agreement.