CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – The Chairman of Horry County Council, Mark Lazarus, said he is working on a proposal to get better pay for Horry County Firefighters.
The proposed pay increase comes after officials from the South Carolina Professional Firefighters Association (SCPFFA) and the Horry County Professional Firefighters Association spoke to the council on Tuesday night about their concerns.
“I come to you tonight not about salary, not about vehicles, not about buildings but about life and death,” said President of the SCPFFA, Roger Odachowski. “I come to talk for my brothers from Horry County Fire Rescue who seem to be told to be working mandatory overtime.”
First District Vice President of the SCPFFA, Bill Pesature, suggested the county apply for SAFER Grants which help pay for new firefighters.
“We hear them loud and clear,” said Lazarus. He explained a proposal in the works which he hopes to present at the end of the month. “To help solve some of those financial issues. That will then hopefully cut down, if we can fill those positions, on the overtime and then hopefully bring in more people wanting to come to the area because then hopefully the pay will be greater.”
He has asked the County Administrator, Chris Eldridge, to present a “State of Our Public Safety” at the budget retreat in late March. Lazarus wants to have proposals prepared for other public safety departments including the police department, sheriff’s office and the county jail.
