Franklin City fire and public-safety staff press personnel committee on insurance, training and staffing shortages

Representatives from Franklin City’s fire department and firefighters’ union told the City Personnel Committee that employees and retirees are struggling with insurance costs, limited education reimbursement, and staffing shortfalls that are stretching operations.

Brad, a fire department representative, and Lieutenant Pulaski, president of the firefighters’ union, addressed the committee at its meeting and listed ideas staff want the city to consider, including an insurance opt‑out or buyout, an “employee plus one” coverage option, an expanded education reimbursement pool, and options to let long‑tenured employees retire earlier with continued benefits. "I was told... the premiums in the emails that went out... were essentially made up numbers," Brad said, describing staff confusion over how premium figures were calculated.

Kelly Hirsch, the city’s director of administration, told the committee the premiums are calculated from actual claims and administrative costs tracked…