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100 Brevard County firefighters have quit over pay dispute: Union
Some 100 firefighters in Brevard County have quit their jobs this year over ongoing negotiations with the county over pay and other benefits, according to the firefighters union. A spokesperson said those firefighters are going to other departments where they can make more money.
PALM BAY, Fla. - More than 100 firefighters and fire personnel have quit the Brevard County Fire Department and joined other fire agencies because they can make more money, according to their firefighters union.
Brevard County and the union have been in negotiations for months over a new contract – but those talks have stalled recently, union representatives tell FOX 35.
Nearly 100 firefighters have quit in 2024, according to the union, alleging they do not make enough money to cover their bills and expenses.
And talks have stalled.
The union said this puts public safety at risk.
"It makes me feel like they don’t care, and it also worries me for my fellow firefighters that are working," said Christy Fleming, a retired firefighter and event coordinator for the union. Her husband is a firefighter with Brevard County.
"The worst-case scenario is he doesn’t come home because somebody was too tired, and he wrecked the truck, or they made a critical mistake," said Fleming.
She said 108 total fire personnel have left the department this year.
"They don’t get past the $15 mark until after their fifth year," she said. "They’re not getting a raise until after five years of being here."
Brevard County Commissioner Katie Delaney said $15 an hour is not enough.
"Nobody's asking to become millionaires. They’re just asking to get paid a reasonable wage," she said. She said impact fees in the county have not been raised in 30 years.
She supports raising impact fees, fees developers and businesses pay, to help increase firefighter salaries.
"I don't want to tax our people more and more and more, so if we can reallocate these funds to get these firefighters paid, that’s going to be the best thing," she said.
What's next?
The county and the firefighters union have to work towards a deal, though with talks completely stalled, it's unclear what may happen.
"I mean, to be frank, this needs to be done yesterday," said the commissioner. "At least for year one, this needs to be ratified."
She said she had a meeting with the county budget department this week to figure out where taxpayer funds, if any, can be allocated to firefighter salaries.