Mayor David Fleming said the raise was a preemptive measure. But Moore said the raise was not enough, and he expects to ask for more when contract negotiations begin. Six firefighters have left for jobs in other fire departments during the past nine months, and another eight are taking hiring tests at other departments, Moore said. Those firefighters represent 25 percent of front-line personnel in the department, he said. Three firefighters with a combined 92 years of experience are expected to retire in the next year, Moore said.
Replacements are likely to have no more than a year of experience.
Some 67 people applied recently for seven paramedic positions. After the testing process, only 10 remain, Moore said, and half of those are likely to wash out in the subsequent background investigation and medical review. Plus, I needed it anyway. It felt really good. The good feelings were abundant on fan appreciation night, even after a shaky start.