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Abbeville creates part-time firefighter positions, sets $15 hourly starting pay; five hires ratified
Summary
Council adopted an ordinance creating part-time firefighter positions and set starting pay at $15 an hour; the council also ratified hiring five new full-time firefighter candidates who will complete physicals and certification before active duty.
The Abbeville City Council on April 7 adopted an ordinance creating part-time firefighter positions and set a recommended starting pay of $15.00 per hour to help sustain staffing levels during extended leaves and to align with neighboring departments.
Chief Toups described the intent as "enabling to sustain our full-time force with part-timers" and said part-time applicants must already be certified, pass the department's agility testing and complete the same ongoing training required of full-time staff.
"$15.00 an hour is my recommendation for part-time firefighters," Chief Toups said during discussion; the council approved the compensation package by voice vote.
Separately during the same meeting, the council ratified the hiring of five firefighter candidates presented by the fire chief: Avery Foster (age 21), Cameron Adams (22), Edwin Horn (22), Andre Morceau (22, prior volunteer experience with Kaplan Fire Department) and Daniel Cortez (22). Each candidate was approved by individual motion and voice vote; the mayor and chief discussed next steps including physicals, background checks, CWR agility testing, and an academy start date in August with expected certification in November.
Chief Longanacre told council the five candidates have passed the department's in-house agility test and will complete required post-hire steps before being fully certified.
What happens next: the part-time firefighter classification and pay rate now exist as city policy; staff will formalize job postings and recruitment. The five ratified hires will complete medical, background and certification steps and are expected to begin academy training in August, with full certification expected in November.
