The London Professional Fire Fighters Association is on the hot seat after it was revealed ten 911 dispatchers with the fire department made it onto the latest Sunshine List.
The London Free Press reports the ten dispatchers averaged $139,000 in salary last year which is more than most frontline firefighters, and on par — or higher than — some deputy chiefs.
Overall, there are 269 members of the London Fire Department who made over $100,000 in 2014.
Fire Fighter Association President John Hassan defended the salaries, telling the Free Press while dispatchers aren’t in harm’s way, the job is complicated, and can be very stressful.
The revelation could add a new twist to drawn out contract talks between the city of London and the union. Firefighters have been working without a new contract since their old deal expired in 2010 and are currently in arbitration.
City hall drew the ire of the association in 2013 when it hired a John Saunders, a consultant and lawyer, who recommended London outsource fire dispatch — a move the consultant estimated could save the city about $1.5 million a year. Saunders also suggested certain other fire department tasks, including mechanical maintenance and building-plan inspection could also be covered by existing city departments, saving the city tens of thousands of dollars a year.
The Fire Association criticized the suggestions at the time saying the fire department’s dispatchers provide the best possible service.
Source: Ten 9-1-1 London Fire Department Dispatchers on Sunshine List | (CFPL AM) AM 980
