Butler City Council is moving closer to adopting some sort of part-time firefighter program.
After a lengthy discussion Tuesday night, Councilwoman Kathy Kline, who is Director of Public Safety, said she will ask the Butler City firefighters union for written clarification on two parts of the current contract that would affect the ability to begin a part-time program.
First, the current contract is unclear about if the department needs to have 18 full-time members or the 16 they currently have before they can begin a part-time program. Second, new full-time hires currently have a set number of probationary hours during which they are trained before they would count as a member of the department for staffing purposes. Council would like to see that number decreased or adjusted based on the circumstances of the part-time firefighter being trained.
According to Kline, an estimated almost $69,000 in overtime is projected to be paid in the fire department this year due to staffing. Five potential candidates have expressed interest in the part-time program where they would make $14 an hour.
Written By: Ryan Saeler for the Butler Radio Network
