Fire fighters in James Island, South Carolina, will now earn more competitive salaries after a public campaign highlighted their low wages compared to neighboring departments.
As reported by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the James Island Public Service District has agreed to a new pay scale, resulting in a minimum $10,000 salary increase for all ranks.
James Island Local 5385 President Sean Foulois stated: “We are pleased that the public service district has created this new pay scale.
“It will immediately help our members better afford the Charleston area’s high cost of living.
“And it will have the long-term effect of improving our ability to recruit and retain fire fighters.”
Before the new pay scale, James Island fire fighters earned significantly less than their counterparts in nearby departments.
New fire fighters were making $36,000, while most Charleston-area fire fighters started at $50,000.
According to local news outlets WCSC and WCBD, the James Island Fire Department struggled with vacancies and experienced seasoned fire fighters leaving for better-paying positions.
In South Carolina, state law does not allow collective bargaining.
However, Local 5385 members actively voiced their concerns as the public service district deliberated its 2025 budget.
Foulois mentioned: “South Carolina is a tough environment for unions. Sometimes you have to work twice as hard to get a positive result, but it can be done. You just have to trust the process.”
Local 5385’s leadership requested a formal meeting with the district board to discuss the pay issue.
They pointed out that there had been no tax increase to raise fire fighter salaries in nearly a decade, and no cost-of-living adjustment since 2016.
With assistance from IAFF resources, including a Municipal Financial Analysis (MFA), they demonstrated that the district could raise salaries without increasing taxes.
The union’s efforts garnered local media coverage and public support.
The district board ultimately approved the new pay scale in mid-July.
Starting salaries for fire fighters will increase from $36,000 to $49,234.
Engineers will now earn more than $61,000, and captains will make over $66,000.
IAFF 12th District Vice President Walt Dix congratulated the local union leaders: “I want to congratulate Local 5385 President Foulois and his team on this big win.
“This wage issue had created a significant recruitment and retention issue.
“If the department had been unable to keep fire fighters on staff, they may have been forced to close a station and/or increase response times.
“The IAFF was proud to provide its resources to help resolve this issue.”
