The president of the union representing Wichita firefighters told the city council Tuesday that better compensation is needed for the men and women in the fire department.   Ted Bush, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 135, spoke during a public hearing by the council on next year’s city budget.

Bush said compensation has been stagnant in recent years and the city has fallen behind regional and state averages.   He said the union has started contract negotiations with the city and that process is more important than ever.  He said firefighters need to be fairly compensated and the city must have the capability to recruit and retain new firefighters.  He said this will also be an important part of building morale among the city’s fire department staff.

Bush said the city also needs to invest in equipment, training and new fire stations.  He said a recent staffing study found that the city is 185 positions and 11 fire stations short.

The city council will adopt a final budget for 2023 at their next meeting on August 23rd.