Montgomery Firefighters Push for 10% Pay Raise as Budget Debate Intensifies

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) — The debate over firefighter pay continued Tuesday at Montgomery’s City Council meeting, where firefighters again urged city leaders to include raises in next year’s budget.

It was the second consecutive council meeting where members of Montgomery Fire Rescue publicly pressed for higher wages. Lt. John Norris, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, asked city leaders to approve a 10% raise, citing vacancies, high overtime costs, and recruitment challenges.

“Right now we are carrying around 50 vacancies,” Norris said. “To cover those shifts the city will spend around $7 million in overtime this year. Overtime may keep the trucks rolling, but it’s expensive, it drains morale, and it puts tired firefighters back on the street.”

The city’s 2025 budget included a 15%