Firefighter urges Highlands County to address low pay, long hours and turnover in Fire Rescue

A Highlands County firefighter addressed the Board of County Commissioners during public comment on Oct. 7, urging the board to take action on pay, staffing and overtime in Fire Rescue.

Identifying himself as Daniel and giving a Sebring address, the speaker said he recently met the county’s new CFO and noted state support for first responders, but stressed that local pay and work schedules are driving turnover and staffing shortages. He said that, once the fiscal year ends, an entry‑level firefighter/EMT will be paid less than other county positions. He also told the board his department had lost 63 employees who left before completing their first year since 2020 and said new hires average roughly 728 overtime hours annually and shifts averaging about 56 hours — well above a cited Florida recommendation of a 42‑hour workweek for first responders.

"The government's number one priority is the health and safety of its citizens," Daniel said, and urged full funding of the fire rescue service so staff can arrive and leave work on schedule. He offered to meet with commissioners for a polite, professional discussion and said he would provide precise overtime cost figures after the fiscal year closed.

Commissioners asked staff to gather information and return with data. One commissioner asked staff to analyze the speaker's figures, explaining there are differences between hourly and annual pay structures; staff agreed to collect the information so the board can make decisions based on facts.

County officials did not take immediate action at the meeting but directed staff to review the data and report back to the commissioners.