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Wayne Township fire chief tells Corwin Council department owed $77,000 in FLSA back pay
Summary
Wayne Township Fire Chief Jason Beckett told Corwin Council the volunteer department was found in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, resulting in $77,000 in back pay and operational changes earlier in 2025; he warned the department still needs volunteers and noted a fire renewal levy will appear on next year’s ballot.
Jason Beckett, Fire Chief for Wayne Township, addressed the Corwin Village Council during public comment on Oct. 13 and said an investigation found the volunteer fire department out of compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Beckett told Council the findings led to changes in hours and operating procedures beginning Jan. 1, 2025 and resulted in back pay totaling $77,000. He described the fire department as volunteer, with the ambulance staffed by a combination of part‑time and volunteer personnel, and said the department still faces a shortage of volunteers.
Beckett said the department participates in mutual aid with neighboring departments and encouraged residents to direct questions to him. He also noted that a fire renewal levy will be on the ballot next year to help sustain operations.
Diane Colvin, a Wayne Township trustee who spoke in the same public‑comment block, explained that federal rules about volunteers were amended in 1985 and that the violations related to how volunteers were compensated, including limits on standby fees and requiring nominal pay rather than converting volunteer status to paid standby. Council did not take action on the fire department item during the meeting.
