YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - As competition for safety forces increases the move is seen as necessary to attract and retain these first responders who answer calls for help during emergencies.

The proposed contract was one topic of discussion at the Youngstown finance meeting Monday where they explained why the force needs more money.

Youngstown firefighters rush towards danger, ready to run inside burning smoke filled buildings to save peoples lives. They rescue the injured from mangled vehicles in extreme weather. Entry level firefighters do this while making a starting salary of around $26,000 a year. That is less than what some fast food employees make a year.

Youngstown's administration says as a result it has been losing first responders to areas that pay better.

"I think it's a pivotal component to raise salaries to be competitive with other places. If you do that kind of work you should be paid for it," said Law Director Jeff Limbian.

But if a proposed contract is approved by city council, the starting salary of firefighters would go up with greater increases in pay taking place in earlier years until firefighters reach the top scale as their co-workers over ten years.

"Where currently a firefighter if he started last year under the old contract the salary would be roughly $26,000 a year, and under this new contract would be close to starting $37,000 a year," explained Finance Director Kyle Miask.

Under the contract firefighters will also see their first raise in 7 years in the once cash strapped city. One percent retroactive to January 2021, 2 percent in the second year and  2 and a half percent in the last year of the contract. The city says the money will come from it's general fund.

The Mayor and his administration assured city council the Fire Chief will address overtime by firefighters after council was told the department had spent around $450,000 overtime, with two months left in the year.

The Mayor explained that's due to injuries, sick time, and firefighters working overtime when co workers are on vacation.