Stockton’s fire department is hiring as wage negotiations continue
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While negotiations between the Stockton Fire Service and the firefighters’ union on a new agreement are ongoing, the department is working to fill more than a dozen vacancies. Stockton Fire Chief Richard Edwards has 183 sworn positions in his department, and said he is currently facing 14 vacancies. “Over the last 5 or 6 months we have had a significant share of backlogs,” he told KCRA 3 on Monday. He said firefighters meanwhile have to work more hours. He believes his department is “one of the busiest” in the United States. Last year, the department responded to nearly 60,000 service requests from 12 firefighters, Chief Edwards said. Usually the department responds to one or two building fires a day. He said his staffing struggle is not unique and that retirements and career changes are partly to blame. “It was very difficult and I think it affects local governments across California,” he explained. “Especially firefighting units, especially in specialized ranks.” Although there are now 14 vacancies, the future is uncertain. According to the chief, about 35 people are entitled to a pension. This figure is expected to more than double in the next 24-36 months. Union leaders tell KCRA 3 that raising wages will help hire new firefighters and keep people already working in the department. “We are now at least 20% lower – the market in all our ranks … in our comparable cities,” said Richard Diaz, a member of the executive board. Places like Sacramento, Modesto, Tracy and Bay Area.Diaz said Stockton Fire recently lost firefighters in departments in Mountain View, Auckland and Hayward. According to him, 10 employees have been lost in the department this year. He said it was more than normal. “I think the union’s message is over – it’s just to be competitive,” said Stockton native KCRA 3. “I can’t stress that we like this city, we like working in this department. We just want to be able to do it efficiently and safe. ” Fire Chief Edwards told KCRA 3 that a memorandum of understanding of his department with Stockton Professional Firefighters Local 456 expires on June 30th. He hopes to soon fill 14 vacancies with people in the process of being interviewed for the next fire academy. Chief Edwards said he was grateful for the sacrifices of his firefighters as he worked to take office.
STOCKTON, CA –
While negotiations between the Stockton Fire Service and the firefighters’ union on a new agreement are ongoing, the department is working to fill more than a dozen vacancies.
Stockton Fire Chief Richard Edwards has 183 sworn positions in his department, and said he is currently facing 14 vacancies.
“Over the last 5 or 6 months, we’ve had a significant share of backlogs,” he told KCRA 3 on Monday.
He said firefighters meanwhile have to work more hours.
He believes his department is “one of the busiest” in the United States.
Last year, the department responded to nearly 60,000 service requests from 12 firefighters, Chief Edwards said. Usually the department responds to one or two building fires a day.
He said his staffing struggle is not unique and that retirements and career changes are partly to blame.
“It was very difficult and I think it affected local authorities all over California,” he explained. “Especially firefighters, especially in specialized ranks.”
Although there are now 14 vacancies, the future is uncertain.
According to the chief, about 35 people are currently entitled to a pension. This figure is expected to more than double in the next 24-36 months.
Union leaders tell KCRA 3 that raising wages will help hire new firefighters and keep people already working in the department.
“We are now at least 20% below market in all our rankings … in our comparable cities,” said Richard Diaz, a member of the executive board.
Places like Sacramento, Modesto, Tracy and the Bay Area.
Diaz said Stockton Fire recently lost firefighters in departments in Mountain View, Auckland and Hayward.
According to him, 10 employees have been lost in the department this year. He said it was more than normal.
“I think the union’s message is over – it’s just to be competitive,” said Stockton native KCRA 3. “I can’t stress that we like this city, we like working in this department. We just want to be able to do things efficiently and safely.” ».
Fire Chief Edwards told KCRA 3 that a memorandum of understanding of his department with local professional firefighters 456 Stockton ends June 30.
He hopes to fill 14 vacancies with people in the interview process for the next fire academy soon.
Chief Edwards said he is grateful for the sacrifices of his firefighters when he works to take up positions.
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