The Professional Firefighters of The Villages, IAFF 4770 say that recruiting new firefighters to its ranks will be crucial for the anticipated growth of The Villages.
However, the union says attracting recruits has not been easy.
“We just had interviews for hiring new firefighters, we had seven apply, six were invited to interview, of that six only four showed up,” said Eric Williamson, secretary of the IAFF Local 4770.
By comparison, Sumter County recently posted one opening and received more than 70 applicants in a short period of time, he said.
“We want this contract not only to improve the pay and benefits of those currently employed here, but also to attract new people with all of this upcoming growth we are about to see,” Williamson said.
A bargaining session between the firefighters’ union and the Village Center Community Development District had been planned for Tuesday, May 23 at Colony Cottage Recreation Center.
However, when the union president was admitted to the hospital, the union’s executive board opted to cancel that meeting.
Still on the bargaining table are a compensation package which includes starting pay, a step plan of wage progression, retirement and time off.
Williamson added that Villages firefighters work a 24-hour shift every third day which averages out to a 56 hour work week.
