Paid-Call Firefighters Reapplying

County fire officials said Friday that the vast majority of its paid-call firefighters are interested in continuing to work for the department under a new volunteer program that will pay them less money.

About 500 of the Orange County Fire Authority’s 609 paid-call firefighters have reapplied for their jobs in what Capt. Scott Brown described as “encouraging” results. In addition, the authority has received 200 applications from recruits.

The authority is discontinuing its use of paid-call firefighters, who work part time and receive an average of $8 starting pay per emergency call they handle. Officials said the long-standing program might violate federal labor laws.

Under the new system, the firefighters will be called “reserves” and will receive less money.

Under both systems, total pay is determined by total hours worked.

Brown said he was pleased with the response, noting that some officials were concerned about whether many paid-call firefighters would be willing to work for less money.

But some paid-call firefighters expressed anger at the new arrangement. Dan York, president of Tustin’s Red Hill Firefighters Assn., said only six of his 20 colleagues reapplied for their jobs at Station 21.

“We want to get paid our fair share,” York said. “To me, it’s an insult. Many didn’t reapply due to principle alone.”

Under the new system, a reserve who battles a fire for 24 hours will be paid $40. Currently, he would receive $192.

Brown acknowledged that “Station 21 is lagging” but noted that at most stations, 90% of the paid-call firefighters reapplied.