Pine City Council approves pay raise for PCFD firefighters, officers

The Pine City Council approved pay raises for the city’s firefighters and fire officers at a meeting on Wednesday.

Fire chief Tom Miller proposed a 10% increase in compensation for the firefighters, fire officers, and department secretary. 

The pay raise brings the city's firefighters up to $25.76 for all meetings, drills, and the first two hours of a fire call. After the initial two hours, that pay goes to $12.88/hour.

Miller said the last raise for fire department personnel was in 2024. He added that officers have seen an increase in required duties, including documentation and compliance checks.

"With the changes coming down the pipe in the recording and the record-keeping and everything, I just think it's important to align them," Miller said.

The decision passed in a 4-0 vote, with council member Kyle Palmer abstaining due to his role as a volunteer paid-on-call firefighter.