After risking their lives every day in the line of work, firefighters have finally received a well-deserved victory. The San Diego City Council unanimously agreed to reinstate death and disability benefits to all firefighters.
The benefits were stripped away due to Proposition B, a ballot measure that substituted current pensions with 401(k) retirement plans for all city employees beginning July 2012. After Proposition B was passed, 350 firefighters were affected as the benefits account for around half of their baseline salary until they die if they are injured and prohibited from working. Furthermore, those benefits are transferred to their spouses should the firefighter pass away while on the job.
However, the plan is considered provisional since Proposition B is currently under judicial review. A state appeals court ruled that the benefits must be reinstated as of last March. While the provision is a step in the right direction, there is still more to be done on the broader pension issue.
Over the past few years, there have been numerous complaints regarding the insufficient supply of firefighters. One reason for the short staffing is the inability to provide adequate salary and benefits packages, which have resulted in a skyrocketing of firefighter overtime hours. Just last year, the city spent $46 million in overtime for firefighters.
In order to combat the short staff issue, the fire department intends to hire 220 new firefighters over the next five years. While there is still a need for a long term plan with respect to benefits—and pensions in particular—the passing of the provisional plan restores the benefits that firefighters have earned. It will allow them to enter their line of duty knowing that they, along with their families, are fully protected.
