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Dayton council approves step‑and‑grade pay plan for firefighters tied to duty‑crew pilot
Summary
Council approved a new step‑and‑grade pay structure for firefighters, replacing a flat $30/hour approach; implementation depends on the duty‑crew pilot and dissolution of the current relief retirement arrangement, with an anticipated effective date in early 2026 tied to budget and retirement timing.
Dayton City Council voted Nov. 25 to adopt a step‑and‑grade pay system for the fire department, replacing a proposed flat $30 per hour approach with a structure that ties pay to certification and years of service and creates promotion steps for officers.
Staff outlined the structure: new recruits progress through training and certification steps during their first year (probationary pay tiers such as $15, $17 and $19 during academy and certification milestones), then receive an entry step (example cited: $25.14) upon completion of probation/pinning. Officers are placed at a higher grade; Council and staff described roughly 7% grade differentials for promotions. The change is intended to improve retention, recognize experience, and create a predictable pay pathway.
Council members questioned holiday compensation, potential overtime implications for a duty‑crew model (where personnel have scheduled paid shifts) and budget effects. Staff said the implementation date would follow the department’s planned duty‑crew start (anticipated March 1) and the dissolution process for the city’s fire relief retirement that frees payroll dollars for new wages. The packet included an estimated annual cost for the proposed plan; staff said final budget adjustments would follow any decisions about duty‑crew scheduling and retirement changes.
After extended discussion, the council approved the pay proposal by voice vote (carried 5–0). Staff will proceed with administrative steps to implement the new pay system in coordination with HR and retirement/legal requirements.
