Firefighter Salary and Benefits

The Westport Fire Department is not only a great place to work, but it has many benefits that it provides its firefighters. Here, you can see just a few reasons you should be excited to join our team. If you would like to learn more about the benefits and incentives our firefighters earn, we encourage you to explore the Westport Professional Firefighters Association 1081 contract.

Salaries

Firefighter/EMTs earn a base salary based on the collective bargaining agreement (union contract) currently in effect. The union contract allows for 7 salary “steps”. A new Firefighter/EMT starts at Step 1 and at the end of seven years reaches Step 7. If the Firefighter does not seek promotion to Lieutenant, they remain at the Step 7 salary, which includes cost of living increases each year. Below are the current base salaries for Step 1 and Step 7. For a list of the base salaries of steps, please see the Local 1081 Union Contract.

Step 1 $65,892
Step 7 $96,876

In addition to base salaries, all Firefighter/EMTs are eligible to work overtime, which is compensated at either 1.0 or 1.5 times base salary hourly rate, depending on the nature if the assignment and/or the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) stipulations.

Stipends & Additional Compensation

• College incentive of up to $1,000
• Master Firefighter stipend of up to $5,500/year (after first year)
• 14 Paid holidays (starting at $5,000/year)

Benefits

• Generous vacation and sick leave - 15 Vacation days after year 1
• Healthcare Savings Account-based medical insurance with Town match
• Hybrid Defined Contribution Plan – The Town will match 50% of employee contribution up to a maximum contribution by the Town of 3%.
• Generous family and bereavement leave