Fixing the Annual Pay and Monetary Finge Benefits of Firefighters for calendar years 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

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2001-2004 Fire Department Salary Ordinance Page 2 The death of a diver who was a member of the Indianapolis Fire Department this past Sunday, who had recently trained in South Bend, underscores just one of the potential dangers of this most needed occupation. Firefighters are indeed highly trained professionals who must be prepared to respond immediately to dangerous and complex situations where lives and property may be at stake. The City of South Bend understands the vital role provided by each and every member of the fire department. As a result, the City established the goal that the South Bend Fire Department should be "recognized as THE model Fire Department of its size in American by the end of the next contract". The Common Council, the three-member Board of Public Safety, Mayor Stephen J. Luecke, members of the City Administration and the Fire Administration led by Fire Chief Luther Taylor provided invaluable guidance to the City Negotiating Team. Some of the objectives sought included: 1. To obtain amulti-year agreement 2. To establish competitive and fair salaries which were fiscally affordable by the City; and 3. To specifically address the pension base in order to continue to attract qualified candidates to the fire department. Each of these objectives have been achieved. The following is a brief summary of some of the highlights of this package: 1. Salaries: The City Qresented its first financial offer to the Fire Union Ne ogti bating Team on June 27th. That offer proposed salary increases for calendar year 2001 ranging from a low of a 7 % increase to a hi on the Qension rank (Firefighter First Classi of 8.3 LJb. This strategy was bold and effective. More importantly, it reflected the City's commitment to the men and women of the South Bend Fire Department and the public services which they provide on a twenty-four hours basis 365 days a year. The one-page summary immediately following this letter sets forth the salary amounts, percentage increase and dollar increases for the next four (4) years for the ranks of First Class Firefighter, Engineer and Captain. 2. Specialty Pays and Pays for Special Operations: The City maintains its commitment to providing added financial incentives far those individuals who wish to maintain the training certifications needed for the many specialties on the fire department. As a result, the medical specialty pays continue for our 54 paramedics, our 6 reserve paramedics, our 18 AEMT's, our 116 EMT's and our 43 First