Brevard County firefighters set to get pay raise after union approves new contract

Brevard County firefighters set to get pay raise

Firefighters in Brevard County are on track to receive significant pay raises after the local fire union overwhelmingly approved a new contract this week aimed at reversing a wave of resignations and filling critical staffing gaps.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - Firefighters in Brevard County are on track to receive significant pay raises after the local fire union overwhelmingly approved a new contract this week aimed at reversing a wave of resignations and filling critical staffing gaps.

‘Deal follows a year of tense negotiations’

What we know:

Brevard County firefighters are poised to receive significant pay raises under a new three-year labor contract that was approved 170-5 by union members. The agreement includes pay bumps of between 6% and 21%, with starting salaries for fire medics rising from $52,000 to $68,000. The move is intended to address a critical staffing shortage following the resignation of nearly 100 firefighters last year.

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What we don't know:

It remains uncertain how the planned budget cuts — more than $13 million from public works and parks departments — will impact community services. It’s also unclear whether the pay raise will be enough to lure back seasoned personnel who left during the pay dispute.

The backstory:

The deal follows more than a year of difficult negotiations between the fire union and county officials. Union leaders said pay and working conditions were pushing trained medics to leave the department, with many citing burnout and low morale as contributing factors.

Big picture view:

As counties across Florida grapple with public safety staffing shortages, Brevard’s deal could serve as a benchmark. However, it comes at the cost of potential service reductions in other departments, which may spark debate over priorities.

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Dig deeper:

The vote, which passed 170-5, follows more than a year of tense negotiations between the union and county officials over wages and working conditions. The new three-year agreement includes annual pay increases ranging from 6% to 21% and raises the starting salary for fire medics from $52,000 to $68,000 — a figure that surpasses current industry standards.