BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The starting pay for Bentonville firefighters is getting a little bump. Tonight, the Bentonville City Council unanimously approved raising firefighters' wages to roughly $45,000 a year before taxes.
City leaders and the fire department say they hope this increase can help recruit and retain younger firefighters just getting started in this career path.
"I can't imagine the trauma that people see. And so this is a this is a step forward," Bentonville City Council member Bill Burckart said.
Burckart was one of eight members to vote yes to increase the minimum wage of Bentonville firefighters from $13.00 per hour to $15.05 per hour.
Burckart hopes the wage increase will help with the retention of men and women who stay in the department.
"We need people to not only want to come here and get recruited, but we need to be able to create a family environment here where they want to stay," Burckart said.
According to the World Population Review, a livable wage for an individual in Arkansas is $14.18 per hour.
The Deputy Chief of the Bentonville Fire Department Jeremy Metcalf said the increase is much deserved.
"There's a timeline that we have to meet on getting our gear on and getting out of the station," Metcalf said. "And it doesn't matter if it's two in the morning, and you're tired, or if you're sitting at the dinner table. As soon as that call comes in, our guys have to jump into their trucks and go to the call."
Metcalf said there are many professions making more money that do not carry nearly the same responsibility. He's excited to see what this will do for young firefighters.
"I think just the two-dollar raise that we're looking at is huge for some of our younger firefighters that are just getting into this, trying to start a family, and buying their first house. It's tough," Metcalf said.
The city says the salary bump also recognizes the long and intense training recruits endure, as well as the training veteran firefighters must do to stay up-to-date.
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