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County considers stipend program to boost volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention
Summary
Lee County emergency management presented a voluntary stipend program to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters: stipends would be call‑based (not hourly), not reduce PERA retirement credit, and the county will seek a $25,000 state grant to supplement local funds; commissioners discussed age limits, school outreach and employer constraints.
Lee County emergency management on Aug. 21 described a proposed Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Stipend Program designed to increase volunteer numbers and reduce coverage gaps in rural districts.
Charlie Pruitt, Emergency Management, told the commission the program was developed with finance, legal, HR and the fire chiefs advisory board to modernize stipend practices and make recruitment competitive (SEG 1959–1969). Pruitt said the stipend would be voluntary, non‑hourly (call‑based rather than a wage), and would not negatively affect PERA retirement credit for volunteers who qualify for retirement credit (10 or 20…
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