Proposed firefighter contract includes $12,000 raises, pension increase and new pay incentives

In Summary:

Apopka’s proposed firefighter contract establishes new salary ranges up to $154,552 and gives bargaining-unit employees a $12,000 first-year base-pay increase. The agreement also includes 3% annual raises in the following years, merit increases, new assignment incentives, and an enhanced pension formula. The City Commission will consider ratifying the contract during a special meeting Thursday.

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A proposed three-year contract between the City of Apopka and its firefighters would provide employees with a $12,000 base-pay increase in the first year, establish new salary ranges topping out above $154,000, and replace the current tiered pension formula with a uniform 4% annual benefit rate.

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Members of the Apopka Professional Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 5293, have overwhelmingly ratified the agreement, leaving the City Commission as the final step before it takes effect.

The Commission will hold a special meeting at 2:30 pm Thursday to consider the contract. It is the only action item on the agenda.

According to a union certification letter included with the agreement, 112 of 128 eligible members cast ballots during three days of voting. The contract was approved 111-1.

The city staff report states that members of both bargaining units approved the agreement. Unit A represents firefighters, engineers and lieutenants, while Unit B covers EMS captains and battalion chiefs.

If approved by the Commission, the contract will take effect Oct. 1 or upon ratification by both parties, whichever occurs later. It will remain in effect through Sept. 30, 2029.

The city would fund the agreement through its General Fund. However, the staff report does not provide a total cost for the raises, pension changes or additional incentives.

Employees would receive $12,000 in first-year raises

The contract’s largest immediate change is a $12,000 increase in base pay for bargaining-unit employees during the first year.

The increase would take effect with the first pay period after October 1 or following final ratification, whichever comes later. Employees already near the top of their new salary range would receive any portion exceeding the maximum as a pensionable lump-sum payment rather than an addition to base pay.

The proposed 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

Employees promoted from one covered rank to another would receive a 10% increase in base compensation or be moved to the minimum salary for the new rank, whichever is necessary.

The agreement provides a 3% across-the-board increase in the second year, followed by anniversary-date merit raises ranging from 0% to 3%.

It also calls for another 3% across-the-board increase and merit raises in the third year. However, the third-year provision identifies fiscal year 2028-29 but says the raise would take effect after October 1, 2027—the same effective date used for the previous year. That apparent inconsistency may require clarification before the agreement is finalized.

Pension formula would increase to 4% per year

The agreement would also significantly change the Apopka Firefighters’ Retirement System.

The city would amend its pension ordinance to give current active employees who have not entered the Deferred Retirement Option Plan, as well as future employees, a uniform benefit accrual rate of 4% of average monthly earnings for each year of credited service. The new formula would apply to all credited years and replace the existing tiered benefit structure.

Under that formula, an employee retiring with 20 years of credited service would qualify for a normal retirement benefit equal to 80% of average monthly earnings.

Normal retirement would begin after 20 years of service or at age 45 with at least 10 years of credited service. Employees who leave after becoming vested with 10 years of service would become eligible for benefits on the date they would have completed 20 years had they remained continuously employed.

Any additional changes to the pension system would remain subject to collective bargaining.

Paramedic and assignment incentives included

State-certified paramedics who are cleared by the department’s medical director would receive an additional $5 per hour added to their base hourly rate.

Paramedics assigned to an ambulance would receive another $1 per hour, while EMTs assigned to an ambulance would receive an additional 50 cents per hour. Employees would have to work at least four hours of a shift on the primary service ambulance to receive that assignment pay.

Field training officers would receive $750 annually and an additional $1 per hour when serving as a preceptor on an ambulance.

Certified fire inspectors and fire service instructors would also receive $750 annually. Members assigned to the Special Hazards Operations Team would receive an additional 50 cents per hour.

The city would set aside $1,200 annually for each bargaining-unit employee to attend outside training classes. It would also continue reimbursing firefighters attending an approved institution to obtain state paramedic certification.

Holiday pay and working conditions addressed

Firefighters would continue working the department’s 24-hours-on, 48-hours-off schedule. Hours worked beyond 106 during a 14-day pay cycle would be compensated at 1.5 times the employee’s regular rate.

The contract recognizes 12 holidays, including International Firefighters’ Day on May 4. Employees who begin a scheduled 24-hour shift on a listed holiday and work at least 13 hours would receive an additional 12 hours of holiday pay.

The agreement also specifies living-condition requirements at each fire station, including hot and cold potable water, showers, heating and air conditioning, refrigerators, stoves, ice machines, locking storage, eyewash stations and beds replaced every four years.

Fire administration would be required to complete repairs within a reasonable period and attempt to expedite work involving firefighter health or wellness.

Employees would receive annual medical examinations that comply with National Fire Protection Association standards, along with early-detection screenings, at no cost. They would also remain subject to annual physical-agility testing.

The city would provide insurance benefits at the same levels and with the same city contributions offered to other municipal employees.

City retains broad management authority

While the agreement expands compensation and benefits, it preserves broad authority for city management.

The city would retain the right to determine staffing levels, assignments, transfers, job classifications, training requirements, and the number of employees assigned to shifts, stations, and equipment. It could also alter operations, contract work for legitimate reasons and relieve employees from duty because of funding or workload considerations.

The union would retain the right to request impact bargaining when required by Florida law. The agreement also establishes a grievance process that can ultimately proceed to arbitration.

The special meeting will be held in the Apopka City Hall Commission Chambers and livestreamed through the city’s YouTube channel.