COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
At a moment's notice, Columbia City firefighters respond when we need them the most.
After all, it's what firefighters are trained to do in stressful situations. But several firefighters say adding to that stress is an even more burning issue: poor salaries.
"Something's gotta give," Capt. Mike Cosola, president of the city's fire association, said. "I can't recommend this job to someone and honestly tell them you will be able to support yourself financially."
Cosola says beginning firefighters make $31,000 a year. Even the most seasoned, he says, are still underpaid. Last year alone, they've lost 55 firefighters.
"We've had about a 50 percent turnover in our department in 2 years," Cosola said. "We can't retain firefighters. They're going elsewhere."
From finding higher-paying jobs in bigger cities to retiring, Cosola says the issue becomes costly to taxpayers, costing them $1 million in retraining costs.
Columbia City Councilman Sam Davis says the city is making efforts to attract firefighters.
"We are aware of their concerns," Davis said. "We are doing everything we can -- everything we can do without budgetary restraints."
Later this year, the city will hire a third party group to study all city employee salaries.
"We are committed to fully funding the police and fire department," Davis said. "Public safety is our number one priority."
The study will determine if city employee paychecks are fair and competitive with similar cities.
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