VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach City Council members approved an ordinance that will offer some big incentives to many of the city's first responders.
The ordinance will provide more college money for firefighters, emergency medical services, and emergency dispatchers. Those workers could also see more money based on how long they’ve been on the job.
Virginia Beach firefighters, medics, and 911 dispatchers are on constant alert to keep communities safe. Virginia Beach Professional Firefighters President Max Gonano said more first responders will be needed in the city soon.
“Both departments are going to be growing in the next couple of years with some new stations opening up," said Gonano.
Gonano said the ordinance means extra college money and bonus pay based on longevity that will help keep firefighters working in Virginia Beach. He said recruiting new firefighters is becoming more difficult.
“Last year we were slated to hire for the fire department 60 full-time employees and 19 of those slots went unfilled because there simply weren’t enough applicants that made it through the process to actually get hired by the fire department," said Gonano.
Now that the ordinance is approved, Virginia Beach City Council will transfer more than a million dollars from the city’s general fund to the fire department as well as to the departments for medics and dispatchers.
Each one will get a share.
“There’s a lot of mandatory overtime going on right now and it’s very difficult on the employees themselves who have to go out there and work every day and be away from their families," said Gonano.
Earlier this month the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office was approved for an incentive pay similar to the police department.