Firedepartmentmovemeanttoincentivizelongevity, reward responsibility carried on part of officers

by Joseph Back

Acting in separate votes Monday August 15 at the Stanley Fire Hall, the Stanley Common Council approved a new graded pay scale for the Stanley Fire Department, as well as a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the police union for “lateral entry” or part-time pay. Ward 2 alderman Jason Meyer abstained from the vote on firefighter wages, being on the fire department. As to the fire department, the pay scale approved Monday begins at $24 for the chief’s position and works its way down through the ranks to a non-firefighter engineer at $10 per hour. The graduated pay scale is meant to incentivize those with more responsibility on the scene by paying a comparable wage, as well as longevity by ouering the opportunity to move on up in the pay scale after training and certi fication.

An alternative pay plan for the fire department would have adjusted wages to a flat $12 across the board, from non-firefighter engineer on up to ovcers. That plan was not approved Monday night.

As to the police end of things, the Memorandum of Agreement fails to contain a dollar amount, simply stating that a “Lateral Entry Ovcer” is entitled to a wage as determined by the city, but not to exceed the current Patrol Ovcer wage, waiving Article 13, Section 1 of the Labor Agreement. No other contractual benefits are extended to recognize prior service, while the minimum qualifications per the memorandum are as follows: Currently employed as a police ovcer An exemplary work history Certified or certifiable by the State of Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board At least 21 years old at the time of application A high school graduate Have 60 college credits at time of hire, and No criminal record Approved with a motion and second at the August 15 council meeting, the memorandum is now in force, being voted to take euect the same day.

Stanley Fire assists the Thorp department at a late night crash off Koser Avenue this past July. A new pay scale approved at the August 15 council meeting would seek to encourage staying with the department and reward firefighters according to responsibility at a scene. Photo by Joseph Back.