By Justin Baltes, Interning Correspondent for The Apopka Voice
In Summary:
Apopka commissioners unanimously approved a new collective bargaining agreement with the Apopka Professional Firefighters Association. The contract raises base pay by $12,000 in its first year and addresses pension benefits and pay incentives. Residents who spoke at the meeting supported competitive salaries while also raising concerns about conditions at city fire stations.
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The Apopka City Commission unanimously approved a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Apopka Professional Firefighters Association, providing salary increases and additional benefits for the city’s firefighters and EMTs.
Approved during the special City Commission meeting on September 24, the agreement covers fiscal years 2026-27 through 2028-29 and will remain in effect through September 30, 2029. The firefighters’ union had already ratified the agreement before presenting it to the commission for final approval.
The contract includes salary increases designed to bring Apopka firefighters' compensation closer to that of surrounding fire departments. The agreement also addresses pension benefits and new pay incentives, according to the proposal.
Kyle Lamp, president of the Apopka Professional Firefighters Association, thanked the commission for approving the contract.
The contract’s largest immediate change is a $12,000 increase in base pay for bargaining-unit employees during the first year.
The approved annual salary ranges are:
- Firefighter/EMT: $66,063 to $102,818
- Engineer: $74,984 to $111,433
- Lieutenant: $80,816 to $120,909
- EMS captain: $111,362 to $141,583
- Battalion chief: $118,313 to $154,552
These salary changes are intended to bring Apopka’s firefighter compensation closer to that of surrounding departments and help the city recruit and retain employees.
During public comment, several Apopka residents supported the contract and the salary increases. Dennis New, an Apopka resident, told commissioners the agreement should be approved to help the city retain firefighters who could leave for departments offering higher pay and better benefits.
“We need to take care of our first responders,” New said during the meeting.
Other residents also emphasized the importance of maintaining competitive salaries as Apopka continues to grow. Leroy Bell said the city’s growth would increase the need for firefighters and argued that funding should prioritize first responders.
Jeff Tyre, another resident who spoke during public comment, said the contract would bring Apopka firefighters and EMTs more in line with other departments in the area.
“We cannot continue to be the stepping stone and the training academy for these other departments,” Tyre said.
Apopka Fire Chief Will Sanchez formally asked the commission to approve the agreement between the city and IAFF Local 5293.
Residents also raised concerns about the condition of the city’s fire stations. Sylvester Hall told commissioners that Station 4 needed improvements, including air conditioning in areas where firefighters exercise and store equipment. Hall said the conditions he saw at the station were concerning.
The commission acknowledged those concerns and said it is addressing improvements to the fire stations. The mayor said the upcoming budget allocated funding to allow each department to manage projects separately. He said the fire department could largely self-manage station improvement projects, which could help address delays caused by limited staffing.
Apopka Fire Chief Will Sanchez formally asked the commission to approve the agreement between the city and IAFF Local 5293. He said the agreement resulted from collaboration between city officials and the firefighters’ union, while considering the department's and community's needs.
Apopka Mayor Nick Nesta and commissioners also discussed several minor wording changes to the agreement but ultimately decided not to delay approval because the existing contract was set to expire at the end of the month.
After discussion, the commission voted unanimously to approve and ratify the agreement.
Following the vote, Sanchez said the agreement provides stability for firefighters and their families while strengthening the department’s ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel.
Kyle Lamp, president of the Apopka Professional Firefighters Association, thanked the commission for approving the contract. Lamp said the agreement would put the department in a stronger position to retain its current personnel and recruit firefighters from outside the area.
Key Points
- The three-year agreement covers fiscal years 2026-27 through 2028-29.
- Bargaining-unit employees will receive a $12,000 first-year base pay increase.
- The approved annual pay range for a firefighter/EMT is $66,063 to $102,818.
- The agreement also addresses pension benefits and new pay incentives.
- Commissioners approved the contract unanimously after the firefighters’ union ratified it prior to the meeting.
ALL PHOTOs BY ISABEL LECOMPTE (@ISASBEL.LECOMPTE), INTERNING PHOTOGRAPHER FOR THE APOPKA VOICE.
