Protracted contract negotiations between Orange County and the union for its firefighters led to dueling news conferences Thursday — the start of a two-day magistrate’s hearing about the impasse.
Representatives from both sides were meeting at the Orange County Convention Center with the special magistrate — who will make a nonbinding recommendation. Negotiations began in September 2023 and the contract expired in October 2024.
Firefighters are seeking higher wages and better health benefits. The county says it has made a substantial pay offer already, one that was contemplated in 2024 when it raised the Fire & Emergency Medical Services property tax rate for the first time in 34 years.
At that time, county commissioners voted 6-1 — with Commissioner Mayra Uribe dissenting — to raise the rate from 2.2437 to 2.8437 mills. The 0.6 mill increase was expected to raise an estimated $69.1 million in new revenue to pay for rising fire service costs, add more firefighters, and upgrade technology and personnel.
On Thursday, the Orange County Fire Fighters Association distributed a press release in conjunction with its news conference listing core issues it blamed for the impasse: Firefighters earn 35-45% less than comparable departments across the state; they need transparent health care that protects employees and taxpayers from cost increases; they want the county to restore predictable career progression to support recruitment, morale and retention, and to address growing employee turnover.
“We’ve spent years negotiating in good faith, and our members deserve a fair, funded agreement that reflects their dedication and professionalism,” Christopher Ritchie, president of the local firefighters union, said in the news release. “We respect Mayor (Jerry) Demings’ long history in public service.
“As he seeks higher office, we hope he’ll use this moment to reaffirm his commitment to the men and women who protect Orange County every day.”
Ritchie said by text message he was unavailable to comment further because he was in the daylong hearing.
In a news conference later in the morning at Orange County Fire Rescue Headquarters, Chief Anthony Rios offered an overview of the county’s latest proposal — which the union rejected July 11, resulting in the magistrate’s hearing.
Rios said the county is offering increases of 35-41% to base pay over the three-year contract. Employees would see on average a 38% increase during that period, he said.
Under the proposal, the starting wage for new firefighter/EMTs is $59,071 (currently $47,245) and 10 weeks later — after successfully completing orientation — it increases to $62,025, he said. Firefighter/EMTs are required to become certified as paramedics within three years and then receive an additional $13,000 annually (currently $9,752). That means the salary for firefighter/paramedics would exceed $75,000.
“This wage increase was deliberate and intentional to ensure that Orange County Fire Rescue is positioned to be amongst the top quartile fire departments in this state as it relates to starting wages and salary for tenured firefighters,” Rios said. “This reflects an undeniable commitment and value that this county places on its first responders.”
Regarding health care, he said the county provides medical benefits to several thousand employees and the Fire Department is one segment of that group — although the union wants a separate plan. He said the county has made significant efforts to control employee costs.
The chief said he’s grateful to commissioners “for their bravery” in last year’s tax vote which allows the agency to direct greater resources into the present and future based on his four priorities: Investing in the workforce to address recruitment and retention; investing in new fire stations; providing safety equipment to protect against inherent cancer risks; and replacing aging firetrucks.