Four-year contract approved for Streator Fire Department

The Streator City Council has approved a new four-year collective bargaining agreement with the Streator Fire Department.

The contract will run from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2028, and includes several changes to firefighter pay, benefits and policies.

The agreement allows a $5,000 increase in base pay for all firefighters in the first year, with 4% pay increases in each of the following three years.

City Manager David Plyman said the pay increases will make Streator’s firefighter wages more competitive with other fire departments.

“This will certainly help us more in the improvement and retention of our firefighters,” Plyman said.

Streator Firefighters Local 56 Union President Ed Levy highlighted the current pay disparity within the department, calling the new contract a step in the right direction.

“We recognize that if we want to attract and retain top talent, we need to pay fair market value,” Levy said. “This contract is the first step in addressing that issue, but we understand it’s a process could take time to completely fix.”

Starting in 2025, the base pay for a new hire will be $48,973.31, with increases over time bringing the starting salary to $55,088.31 by 2028.

Promotions to lieutenant and captain positions will come with additional salary increases of $1,950 and $2,850.

The contract also includes changes to the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association program, which provides post-retirement insurance benefits for firefighters.

“The program will now allow for investment opportunities for health insurance funds after 20 years of service,” Plyman said. “It will offer firefighters greater flexibility and security after retirement. We offer the same program to the police department.”

The new contract also includes continued stipends for firefighters serving as emergency medical responders.

The $1,000 annual stipend for EMR services remains, with additional stipends for firefighters holding certifications in EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and Paramedic. These stipends apply to firefighters who assist in emergency medical services under the city’s contract with paramedic providers.

Another important provision in the contract now allows firefighters to assist paramedics with non-transport emergency medical services.

This ensures the city can still use non-firefighter personnel, including contract paramedics, for ambulance transport.

In other items, the City Council:

• Reappointed Park Board members Gary Wheeler and Rob Tyne to four-year terms.
• Approved financial reports for December, 2024.