White County increases per-call compensation for volunteer firefighters

CLEVELAND – White County Commissioners have approved a $5-per-call compensation increase for county volunteer firefighters.

During a combined work and voting session Monday, the commissioners heard a request for the increase by White County Public Safety Director David Murphy. He shared with the commissioners an overview of the number of volunteers and calls made last years by the volunteers.

Murphy said currently the county has 62 volunteers on the roster with seven new recruits currently under training. Murphy said Station 4 in the Mossy Creek area had the largest number of calls last year with 216 runs, with 12 volunteers assigned to that station.

Following his presentation, Murphy recommended to the commissioners that the pay per call be increased from $10 to $15. The commissioners gave unanimous approval to the recommendation.

Commission Chairman Travis Turner pointed out this is not an hourly rate, and that some of these calls can last for hours.

He said after the meeting that the county needs to encourage the firefighters to respond to calls, saying, “when I call 9-1-1 I don’t care who comes, just come.”