The following represents a brief overview of the benefits you can expect to receive as a firefighter with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department under current collective bargaining agreements.

Base Salary
56 hour week (24hr on-48hr off=122 shift days/yr)     $2,783/month     $33,396/yr

Automatic step raise
Each year on the date of employment for the first four years and then every other year thereafter until year 14 when it becomes yearly again until year 17.

Promotional opportunities
From firefighter to engineer to lieutenant to captain to district chief. There is a 15 percent pay differential between each rank. Each Engine, Ladder, Squad, and Rescue has an officer in charge daily- either a lieutenant or captain.

Service Raise
Each 5 years of employment gains $25/mo           $300/yr.

EMT Certification
Florida State Certified EMT              $100/mo       $1,200/yr

Paramedic Certification
Florida State Certified Paramedic    $250/mo         $3,000/yr

City Education Incentive Pay
30 semester hours, 12 must be fire-related courses $50/mo    $600/yr
60 semester hours, 18 must be fire-related and an A.S. or A.A. degree $100/mo  $1,200/yr

State Education Incentive Pay (Bureau of Fire Standards)
A.S. or A.A. degree in an approved degree program with 18 hours of fire-related courses              $50/mo             $600/yr
B.S. or B.A. degree in an approved degree program with 18 hours of fire-related courses              $110/mo            $1,320/yr

Tuition Reimbursement
Must complete approved course with a "C" or better to be reimbursed for tuition cost

Cleaning and Meal Allowance
Uniform cleaning and meal subsidy      $244/qtr     $976/yr

Personal Leave (Vacation and Sick Leave)
20 days/yr (one day equals 12 hours of shift)

Holidays
12 days/yr (one day equals 12 hours of shift)

Pension Benefits
Jacksonville Police and Fire pension Fund
   -May vest after 5 years, NO AGE RESTRICTIONS TO RETIRE
   -may retire after 20 years service at 60 percent of pay(last 2 years averaged)
   -2 percent multiplier/yr after 20 years to 80 percent of pay(MAXIMUM) at 30 years
   -3 percent COLA(cost of living adjustment) each year after retirement
   -DROP(Deferred Retirement Option Plan)
   -Widow/ Widower receives 75 percent of the deceased's pension

Job Injuries
On-job injury expenses are covered by the city

Health Insurance
   -New employees receive coverage starting the first month after 90 days of employment
   -Dependant coverage available
   -May choose plan from several vendors approved by the city 

Life Insurance
A policy equal to the employee's annual salary is paid by the city, additional coverage available

Uniforms and Protective Gear
Uniforms and turnout gear are provided by the city

Death in the line of duty
State of Florida: $75,000 up to a possible $125,000
Federal Government:  $138,461