'A Small Step in the Right Direction': N.C. Firefighters to Receive Raises Under New Pay Plan
Winston‑Salem city council approved a new pay and benefits plan for its fire department, giving firefighters raises between 4.3% and 9.5% and adding roughly $2 million in payroll costs. The city will fund a $500,000 shortfall by tapping its fund balance, which translates to about a half‑cent increase in the municipal tax rate—roughly $1 a month for owners of median‑priced homes. The plan also reduces vacation and sick‑time accruals, cutting total annual time off by more than half. Pay scales now sit 1%‑5% above comparable North Carolina departments.
Ohio Township Boosts Firefighter Pay, Adds Lateral Hiring to Fill Vacancy
Hinckley Township approved a new compensation package to boost firefighter wages and add a lateral‑hire provision after failing to fill one of its three full‑time slots. Level‑two firefighters will earn $62,600 and level‑three $69,800, up from $66,800. The policy lets...
Maine Firefighter Resignations Leave Volunteer Department Depleted
The Wales, Maine volunteer fire department has lost at least 12 firefighters, leaving roughly 10 volunteers on staff. The resignations follow a dispute over fire chief Scott Dimmick’s leadership, with volunteers citing concerns about operations, training, and equipment readiness. Town...
Mich. Firefighters Sue, Allege Retaliation After Backing Fire Chief After Church Attack
Four part‑time Grand Blanc Township firefighters filed a federal lawsuit alleging retaliation after they publicly supported fire chief Jamie Jent’s reinstatement following the September 2025 shooting at a Mormon church that killed four people. The complaint says the township and...
Ariz. Officials Weigh Fire Station Closures Amid Budget Deficit
Tucson officials are confronting a $16.8 million budget shortfall as the 2026‑2027 fiscal year approaches. City staff have proposed closing two fire stations—one near the University of Arizona and another by the state prison—to curb expenses. Firefighters argue the cuts would...
Ex-Conn. Fire Lieutenant Files $3.5M Lawsuit Alleging Racial Bias in Firing
Former New Haven fire lieutenant Keith Norfleet, a Black employee earning about $110,000 annually, filed a federal lawsuit seeking over $3.5 million after being fired in August 2024 despite a jury acquitting him of sexual assault. The complaint alleges the city violated...
Ohio County Launches Scholarships for Future Public Safety Workers
Cuyahoga County is funding a new scholarship program with $25,000 to support up to ten high‑school students pursuing police, fire or EMS training. Each award provides up to $2,500 and targets low‑income learners already working with College Now advisors. The...
Wis. Law Helps Fire Departments Buy Soy-Based, PFAS-Free Foam
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed legislation allowing fire departments to use state grant funding for soybean‑based, PFAS‑free fire‑suppression foam. The law expands the Department of Natural Resources grant program, covering up to 50% of the cost for soy‑derived suppressants and...
Va. City Seeks Public Input as Search Begins for Next Fire Chief
Lynchburg, Va., is launching a public‑input driven search for a new fire chief, aiming to appoint a permanent leader by June. The city held in‑person sessions and opened an online survey through April 13, gathering feedback from firefighters, partners, and residents...
Mich. Township Issues $13.2M in Bonds for New Fire Station
Scio Township in Michigan issued $13.2 million in bonds to fund a new fire station on Wagner Road. The bond, issued March 12, follows a 2024 voter‑approved 2.7‑mill tax after earlier failed attempts. The project stems from a 2022 Fire Services Guidance...
Calif. FD Tests Sound Wave System to Fight Fires without Water
The San Bernardino County Fire Department is piloting Sonic Fire Tech’s sound‑wave fire‑suppression system, which uses infrared sensors to detect flames and extinguishes them by vibrating oxygen at frequencies the fire cannot consume. Developed by former NASA acoustics engineers, the technology creates...
Should Volunteer Firefighters Be Paid? FireRescue1 Readers Weigh in on a Growing Debate
Volunteer fire departments across the United States are confronting steep declines in membership, prompting a renewed push to offer compensation. Proposals in New York suggest paying volunteers up to $12,000 annually as a potential remedy for staffing shortfalls. Feedback from...
$14K Grant Boosts Heart Health Checks for Mass. Firefighters
Amesbury’s City Council approved a $14,858 grant from the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association to fund cardiac screenings for 17 of the fire department’s 39 members. The grant, secured by Lieutenant David Carpentier, will cover expensive heart‑health evaluations scheduled for late...
Mass. Fire Chief Accused of Favoritism, Ethics Violations Involving Sons
Massachusetts State Ethics Commission has filed an Order to Show Cause against Clinton Fire Chief Michael Lutes, alleging he violated the state conflict‑of‑interest law by favoring his two firefighter sons. The commission says Lutes assigned exclusive fire‑alarm training that generated...
Lawsuit Alleges La. Firefighters Failed to Search for Victims in Deadly House Fire
A Shreveport family has filed a wrongful‑death lawsuit alleging the fire department failed to inform first‑arriving crews that multiple occupants were trapped in an April 2025 house fire. Dispatch messages reportedly omitted the occupant detail, and Engine 6 began fire suppression without...