Shortage of GFD volunteers prompts plan for pay increase

In an effort to attract and retain volunteers in the Grafton Fire Department, village officials are considering increasing the pay. 

“The pay for volunteers is below the marketplace,” Village Administrator Jesse Thyes said during a Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday.

The current hourly wage for a Grafton firefighter/paramedic is $15. Volunteers in Mequon earn about $35 an hour and those in Port Washington receive nearly $30 an hour, according to village documents.  

“That’s a gaping hole,” Trustee Lisa Uribe Harbeck said.

Officials said about half of the department’s $1.3 million annual budget is funded through the tax levy, and ambulance fees are a significant source of funds as well. 

The department is proposing increasing the pay for firefighters/paramedics to $24 an hour, for a total increase of $107,083 next year, which would address hourly rates for calls and training, shift coverage with part-time staff and overtime expenses. 

The village funds 74.5% of the department cost and the town pays 25.5% annually. The net increase for the village would be $79,777 and $27,306 for the town. Officials said the town is in agreement with the proposed pay increase.

No action was taken during Monday’s meeting, but the trustees directed staff members to research funding options that include increasing fees.

“When we raise our fees, we want to be fair and consistent with other communities,” Grafton Fire Department Chief Bill Rice said. 

Officials said the department has trouble maintaining personnel because of a growing shortage of volunteers for weekend and evening shifts. There are about 60 volunteers.

Rice said his greatest challenge is finding volunteers for emergency medical services. 

“The toughest part for me is to get EMTs and paramedics that are willing to be available for multiple nights and weekends,” Rice said in April.

Rice said the reason for the shortage in volunteers is that people’s schedules are less flexible between work and family, as opposed to previous generations. 

About one-third of the department’s volunteers help with emergency medical services, another third work strictly as firefighters, and the remaining volunteers fill both roles.

Rice also said Grafton relies on mutual aid from other fire departments in Ozaukee County to assist with emergency calls, which is common among local communities.