Bristol Borough Council last month approved pay increases for key fire service leadership positions.
The raises, which took effect at the start of October, will boost the fire chief’s annual salary from $4,500 to $8,000, while the fire marshal’s compensation will jump from $500 to $3,000 per year.
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Herb Slack has been the longtime fire chief for the borough.
Additionally, the senior deputy chief’s pay will increase from $3,500 to $5,000 annually, and a junior second deputy position will be created with a $5,000 yearly salary.
The jobs are not full-time and the officials often put in many hours of work for the borough.
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Council Member Louis Quattrocchi explained that some positions had seen decreased compensation.
“This is righting some of the things that have fallen through the cracks budget-wise and we just couldn’t do it,” Quattrocchi said. “So that’s why people might think it’s a radical change. But this has been going on for quite a while.”
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Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III expressed support for the increases, praising the dedication of the fire department leadership.
“Anybody that can leave what they’re doing and leave their family at the drop of a dime to save somebody’s life voluntarily has my utmost respect,” DiGuiseppe said.
The mayor also highlighted the fire chief’s additional responsibilities, including plan reviews, inspections, and fire investigations.
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The borough chief is supplemented by chiefs for each volunteer fire company in the borough. The fire companies are in the process of uniting.
The pay increases were not originally on the meeting agenda but were added following an executive session discussion of personnel matters.
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Borough Solicitor Jeffrey Garton advised that the addition was appropriate due to the council’s desire to implement the changes before October 1.
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