Palm Beach Gardens to Hire 33 New Firefighters Amid Contract Changes

Palm Beach Gardens is set to hire 33 new firefighters as part of a new three-year contract for the city’s fire department. This initiative aims to address the need for more personnel, reduce working hours, and increase pay for existing employees. The city council approved the contract, valued at over $5.8 million, which comes into effect this October. Sworn employees are slated to receive a salary increase of 24% staggered through the contract’s duration, marking a significant rise from the previous agreement. Fire Chief Keith Bryer highlighted the nationwide shortage of firefighter recruits as a critical reason for such competitive measures.

Starting in the third year of the contract, firefighters will transition to a work cycle of 24 hours on duty followed by 72 hours off, decreasing their weekly hours from 48 to 42. Bryer sees this as beneficial for recruitment and the well-being of employees, promoting better sleep and mental health. Each year of the contract awards raises to 135 union-member employees, with increases of 7% in October and 3% in April for the first two years, and a subsequent 4% raise in the final year. Minimum salaries will rise, with firefighters seeing a salary increase from $56,542 to $62,944, and captains from $77,128 to $85,861.

The contract also guarantees the department’s community risk reduction division an annual 6% pay raise. The shift to the 24/72-hour schedule aligns with trends in Palm Beach County, following the lead of other cities such as Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach. The move to shorter weeks aims to improve health and wellness among firefighters. Bryer commented on the cultural change regarding mental health, noting the incorporation of annual mental health checks with professionals.

To support the new schedule and staffing needs, the department will recruit 15 new firefighters and an additional 18 personnel as they plan to increase rescue unit staff. Additionally, preparations are underway for a new fire station in a burgeoning community on the city’s western edge. The construction is scheduled to conclude by April, with 21 firefighters already assigned to the facility.

Dave Terrana, president of Local 5470 of the International Association of Firefighters, expressed enthusiasm over the fast-paced collective bargaining process, citing the new contract as the quickest negotiation in his 21-year tenure. Reflecting on the changes, council member Carl Woods commended the department’s efforts during a council meeting, underscoring the importance of their roles in public safety.