Firefighting is no easy job. In fact, it is one of the world's most dangerous professions, and firefighters put their lives on the line daily for the safety of others. However, many firefighters do not make a salary high enough to support their families.
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam told New4Jax.com that the average state employed firefighter in Florida makes $27,000 per year. That number is almost half of what the average teacher in Florida makes.
"Our firefighters are demonstrably underpaid relative to their peers in other southeastern states," Putnam told News4Jax.com.
Putnam and a group of other state officials are pushing for a pay increase for the state's firefighters. He and his supporters believe higher pay would lower the turnover rate in state firefighters and help develop more experienced stations. The agricultural commissioner and the others are hoping for a $2,000 salary increase for Florida firefighters.
According to WCTV News, the officials got a pay increase approved by the state Legislature earlier in the year, but Florida governor Rick Scott vetoed it, stating that no one group of state workers should receive a raise.
Putnam and the other officials plan to continue lobbying for the first responders.