The four-person Latham local includes, from left, Jason Gibbins, Chris Dedrick, Greg Fulfree, local president, and Senior Fire Fighter Tim Gaffney.
Nine square miles of the Latham Fire District in Albany County is covered by four professional firefighters. It’s the second largest district within the larger town of Colonie, which includes 11 other districts.
For Local 4924, which only recently became organized, there aren’t enough resources to support a successful 24-hour fire protection and EMS operation. Today, the four firefighters on staff rely on volunteers from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. every day.
Among the effort to build a self-sustaining department is the desire for good benefits and a salary structure that will help the department find and retain experienced firefighters and EMS personnel.
“We’re looking for decent pay, retirement and better medical benefits,” said Greg Fulfree, Local 4924 president. “We don’t have retirement; we have some medical, but it doesn’t cover families. Our pay starts at $26,000 a year and tops out at $32,000.”
The conditions are resulting in the average firefighter leaving after two years. Far from ideal when one considers the department answers 700 fire calls each year and 750 medical calls.
“Experience is important and helps us maintain quality of service, and job safety,” Fulfree said.
To help cover the costs associated with efforts to garner better benefits, the local is holding a fundraiser in the form of a raffle. It offers three cash prizes. First place is $300; second place is $150; and third place is $75. Tickets are $5 each.
The drawing is Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. Please contact Fulfree at 508-808-8765, or at president.local4924@gmail.com for more information.