Turnover is increasing at the Upland Fire Department, and as
firefighters start negotiations this month with the city's Human Resources
Department, they're looking to improve their wages and benefits.

"The problem is, there is so much turnover," said John Fowler,
president of the Upland Firefighters Association. "We have lost about 35 guys
since 1992. Four or five of them went to Ontario (Fire Department) because wages
and benefits are better."


About 10 years ago, under a different City Council, Upland
firefighters and police officers were on the same wage and benefit levels, Mayor
John Pomierski said. But the city started to experience major financial problems
and in order to balance the budget, took money from an account designated for
firefighters.


"The city was so strapped for money," Pomierski said. "We have
been trying to build back up ever since, trying to get the fire department back
up in line with the police officers."


Despite the upgrade process, some firefighters said they have
seen the department's morale slip as its finances have lagged behind other
cities. And they've started looking for new places to work.


Victor Lopez, 31, was with Upland for 11 months before he
started looking elsewhere.


"(Upland)

was a good way to get into the
fire department," Lopez said.

But he soon realized that other cities could offer more money
and a better retirement plan.


He said he preferred Ontario, which was known for its high
salaries, good retirement plan and manpower.


"They have two medics on each unit and four men on their
trucks," Lopez said. "Ontario has eight fire stations, compared to Upland's
four."


Lopez has been with Ontario for about three years.


"My family was a huge factor in transferring. My kids and wife
have all of their benefits paid for," he said.


Later this month, the association will submit a proposal to the
city for higher total compensation.


The process, which takes several months, will most likely not be
considered by the City Council until early next year.


According to last year's budget, firefighters in Upland were
paid a starting monthly wage of $4,408, while Ontario firefighters received
$4,442 monthly.


The $34 difference may not sound like much, but Ontario recently
went to negotiations with its own City Council. The department confirmed that
over the next four years, firefighters will experience multiple increases
totaling 10 percent.


"When it comes to negotiations, the fire department compares
themselves to other cities in the area as leverage," Pomierski said. "They
compare themselves to other departments close to the same size to see what they
get paid and what their allowance is."


Fowler, who is also a fire captain, said Upland and
Rialto are the only two cities that have not upgraded to better retirement plans
and higher wages.


"Our medical is still so far down. We are behind in medical,
dental, vacation and retirement," said Fowler. "Across the board, we're low in
all areas."


Fowler said he is not trying to blame the City Council, which
has been supportive of increasing wages since 2000.


"(Upland) has done a good job restoring the budget and bringing
money into the city. The mayor has been very good at getting our wages up,"
he said.


But salary is not the highest concern for the Upland department,
said Fowler, who at 49 would be eligible to retire in a year in most other
cities.


"I can't afford to retire. I'll have to work for another five
years," he said.


The top priority for negotiations this year is to receive a
better benefits and retirement package, he said.


"We don't want to be the highest paid, we just want to get to
the average of total compensation so our guys won't leave," Fowler said. "Kids
come here to gain experience as a firefighter. We train them with our dollars,
and then they move on to something better. Some of them like it here, fall in
love with the city, but they have to look out for themselves and their
families."



Upland Fire Department:


Starting wage for a firefighter is $4,408 per month.


The retirement formula is 2 percent at 50. This means that when
a firefighter retires at the age of 50, every year of service will be multiplied
by 2 percent, equaling a pension percent of salary.


Insurance and benefits for a firefighter are given in a lump sum
of $766 per month.



Ontario Fire Department:


Starting wage for a firefighter is $4,442 per month.


The retirement formula is 3 percent at 50.


Insurance and benefits for a firefighter are given monthly in
three different categories:


- Single: $405


- Two-party: $801


- Family: $1,037




Lori Consalvo can be reached by e-mail at
lori.consalvo@dailybulletin.com or by phone at (909) 483-9391.





BS Ranch Perspective:


It looks like Upland Fire has something in common with
Rialto Fire, & Police! Rialto Police/Fire and Upland Fire are the
only agencies in the Inland Empire that do not offer something better then
that of 2% at 50. 99% of the Departments Officer a Retirement
plan of 3% at 50 years of age. Lets look at some of the other Agencies
that offer less. San Bernardino Police Department Offers 3% @ 55 and that
is better then 2% at 50 any day!!


The trouble is that Rialto City Council thinks
that the Retirement that one gets doesn't count towards what one did
for their employer, well I worked hard for the city of Rialto, and I
am here to say that they are wrong! The people that work hard
for the city of Rialto deserve to retire at a time in their life
when they are at an age that they should not be placing their life on the line
to save public safety. The people that reach fifty in the line of law
enforcement deserve to retire, it is much to dangerous of a
career these days to keep going on and on,


So I say to you, Please Remember that Rialto should Retire
at a Respectable age like their Counter parts in other sixties, are finding
themselves. Why even the County of San Bernardino has the retirement of 3%
at 50! Just two city's in the Inland Empire now don't offers the
newly Changed Retirement Plan and that all should change. Please Ed Scott
Find the money. You Seem to be finding the money to fight the County on the
Perchlorate, when we should be working with the County and not fighting with
them. You are Wasting City Dollars that could be used to pay for a more
responsible Retirement plan for the Employee's of Rialto a 3% @ 50 Retirement
Plan for all employees!! that is and would be the best yet!!


BSRanch