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Board ratifies two‑year contract with Indian River County firefighters union; raises pay and training incentives
Summary
The commission ratified a two‑year collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 2201 covering Oct. 1, 2025–Sep. 30, 2027, including a 4% general wage increase each year, higher paramedic incentives, expanded tuition assistance and a new Kelly Day schedule that requires hiring 19 additional medics.
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously ratified a two‑year collective bargaining agreement with the Indian River County Firefighters/Paramedics Association, IAFF Local 2201, covering Oct. 1, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2027.
County staff summarized key provisions: a 4% general wage increase for each year of the agreement, expanded paramedic incentive pay to make the county more competitive with neighboring departments, an increase in tuition assistance (from $50,000 to $75,000, with part dedicated to paramedic training), and an implementation of a 3‑week Kelly Day schedule that reduces the biweekly average from 104 to 96 hours while maintaining base pay. Staff said the Kelly Day change will require hiring and training 19 additional fire medics.
The agreement includes new rescue sergeant and dual‑certified employee incentives and contains a payback provision for tuition assistance (pro-rated over five years). Staff noted a scrivener’s error in the draft regarding the timeframe for new hires to attain paramedic certification; it should read 36 months, not 24.
The union ratified the agreement and the board authorized the county chair to execute the contract after final form review; the motion carried unanimously.
