STAND WITH TALLAHASSEE FIREFIGHTERS TODAY!
After 100 days without a collective bargaining agreement, your firefighters are sounding the alarm. Learn more about our fight for fairness today!
OUR FIREFIGHTERS BRING HOME THE LOWEST PAY...
Tallahassee Firefighters starting their careers bring home the lowest pay (14% below avg), work more hours and contribute the most in mandatory retirement contributions (20+%) than any other Tallahassee first responder to include dispatchers. A firefighter's work week is 53 hours, making us work 676 hours more than our counterparts every year. See the numbers below.
TAKE-HOME PAY COMPARISON
WEEKLY PAY
14% below average compared to area 1st responders
HERE'S THE SIZE UP...
100 days without an agreement and counting
-
Firefighters began bargaining nearly one year ago and have met 13 times with the City Manager's negotiating team and still no agreement.
-
If a resolution is not reached soon our fate will be in the hands of a Special Magistrate, costing tax payers thousands in legal fees. Money which should be spent funding public safety.
-
With no contract, firefighters are uncertain if they will have a living wage to make ends meet and are having to consider seeking employment with other nearby departments or leave the profession they love.
HERE'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR
A LIVING WAGE
Increasing take-home pay for starting firefighters which is the lowest when compared to other Tallahassee first responders. We've achieved this through asking for flex-insurance monies, increased incentive pay and other creative methods. Our proposals also include a generous pay freeze in the first year of the three year deal to address budget concerns brought forward by the City of Tallahassee.
PARAMEDIC PAY
Paying Fire-Paramedics a fair and equitable compensation for their knowledge, skill, and advanced life support level of patient care, just like every other Florida community of our size does. Your Fire-Paramedics provide the largest pre-hospital healthcare in the region and continue to be on the front-line of the COVID-19 pandemic.
FIREFIGHTER WELLNESS
Improving health and safety of firefighters through wellness initiatives. Helping to change the culture with measures to reduce nicotine use. Since the State of Florida provided benefits to firefighters diagnosed with forms of occupational cancer our firefighters are taking new steps to remain cancer free so that we can serve our communities longer.
3 WAYS YOU CAN HELP US
Tallahassee Firefighters need your help. We've met with our city elected and appointed officials many times during the last year but now we need your voice. This is your community and your fire department too. Here's three simple ways you can stand with our Tallahassee Firefighters.
#1
CONTACT CITY HALL
Reach the City Manager
The City Commission and City Manager have the final say. Send them an email in the form below or call them today to let them know you support an equitable wage for your Tallahassee Firefighters.
MAKE A STATEMENT
Request a Yard Sign
A small yard sign in your yard or place of business will show our city that you stand with firefighters in earning an equitable wage and keeping them safe while on the job. Request one today by clicking here!
*We're thankful that we've been overwhelmed with requests so allow up to one week or more to receive your sign.
#3
#2
CONTACT CITY OFFICIALS
Urge the City Manager to do what's right and work to reach an agreement with Tallahassee Firefighters.
#STANDWITHFIREFIGHTERS
Local Tallahassee musician Velma Frye wrote and recorded “Make a Stand with Firefighters” to show support for Tallahassee firefighters and paramedics as they fight for fairness with City Hall. Words written by Velma Frye and the song melody is an African American Spiritual melody "Train - Is A-Comin"
WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS SAYING...
Sue
"I cannot believe that these essential first responders in this time of pandemic are not the maximum support from the city. Please accept the very reasonable demands and do not spend tax payer money wasting more time"
Rick
“I support the need for firefighters to have equitable wages. They provide an invaluable service to the community. It is important the we provide them with the appropriate wages necessary to insure quality workers. But most importantly they should have equitable wages because it is the RIGHT thing to do. Please do the right thing and increase wages”
Jeff
"I'm not from Tallahassee, but spent 6 months shooting video of TFD for the show "Live Rescue, and wanted to share my perspective as someone that has embedded with first responders all over the country. The TFD FFs are an extremely professional group of civil servants. While I was with them they showed compassion and bravery on every call. There wasn't a single individual in the entire TFD that didn't measure up to what they were being asked to do every day. As someone who has seen the inner workings of many first responders across the country, I can say that TFD does more with less than most and the COT should consider itself lucky to have such good natured people working in its fire department. They deserve fair compensation"
Tonya
"Please recognize that our firefighters need fair wages. When everyone runs away from emergencies, our firefighters run towards and into fires to rescue our community members. They place their lives in danger to help us. They are educated and trained in this specialty and maintain continuing education. Our firefighters deserve to be paid a fair wage. Please show them your appreciation by treating them well. We need them. Many Thanks"
Joe
“I support the need for firefighters to have equitable wages. They provide an invaluable service to the community. Please do the right thing and increase wages”
