Raleigh firefighter pay has fallen far behind other fire departments our size throughout the country. The city stopped making firefighters a priority back in 2008. 

The standard before 2008 was a 5% merit increase with a minimum of a 1.5% cost of living each year.

Within the last 8 years alone we are 19% behind in Merit increases and 12% in cost of living increases. 

In the same time frame health insurance premiums have increased by 42%. 
Annual out-of-pocket maximums have increased from $1,000/$2,000 to $3,500/$7,000. 

Many firefighters with families can only survive by living on public assistance because pay is so poor in the Raleigh Fire Department. 

The city has decided to do a city wide pay study to see how their pay and benefits stack up to other similar cities across the country. Studies like this have been done in the past but the city chose to ignore the results.

Here is how we compare to other similar city fire departments right now:

Raleigh ranks #42 by population in the US with an estimated pop. of 451,066 (28 stations) with a $32,673/yr. Starting Salary 

​Colorado Springs ranks #40 with est. pop. of 456,568 (22 stations) with a $45,344/yr. Starting Salary

​Omaha Nebraska ranks #43 with est. pop. of 443,885 (24 stations) with a $51,717/yr. Starting Salary

 The city has denied a pay increase year after year and we need your help to show the Raleigh City Council that the time to finally act is now. Please sign this petition and show your support for our cause.

Please select the option that allows updates from our organization so that we can update you on this issue moving forward. Allowing us to have a way to contact you via email strengthens our position with the city council and will in turn help us achieve fair pay for all Raleigh Firefighters.