Soldier Township adopts updated Fire Department pay scale and approves open positions

The Soldier Township Board voted 3‑0 on April 5 to adopt an updated pay scale for the Soldier Township Fire Department and to approve related open positions.

Battalion Chief Wesley Roberds presented the Fire Department report. With Fire Chief Schmitt absent, Bob Oliva, Township Business Administrator and Road Superintendent, outlined the proposed pay policy and told trustees he was confident the adjustments would fit within the current township budget constraints. Clerk Mike Mathes moved to approve the pay scale and open positions; Treasurer Jerry Glasgow seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The pay‑scale documents included in the record break compensation into four parts—Base, EMT level, Incentives and COLA—and list specific hourly amounts: paid‑per‑call/part‑time firefighters are shown at $8/hr during orientation, $10/hr during probation and $13/hr after probation; full‑time firefighter base pay is listed at $14/hr; battalion chief base pay is listed at $21/hr. The tables also list EMS differentials ($1.00/hr for EMT, $1.50/hr for EMT‑A, $2.00/hr for EMT‑P) and small hourly incentive increments for certifications and rank (examples include $0.10/hr for some certifications, $0.50/hr for lieutenant rank, $1.00/hr for captain). The Fire Chief’s salary is to be determined by the Board.

The Board’s motion approves the policy as presented and adopts it for future pay‑rate adjustments; the record states current employees other than battalion chiefs will be grandfathered at their current rates.