Plymouth City Council approves job description for part-time firefighter

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 1:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

Last week, the Plymouth Common Council approved a proposed job description for a part-time firefighter position in the salary ordinance.

Jen Klingerman, the city’s HR Manager, presented the job description requested by the Fire Department to be added to the 2026 Salary Ordinance. She said that at one time, the city utilized volunteer firefighters to fill open full-time shifts to help provide proper coverage, but at some point, that was stopped several years ago. Klingerman said this job description allows those volunteer firefighters who are not EMT certified to fill an open firefighter’s shift.

Councilman Don Ecker asked if these are 12-hour shifts or 24-hour shifts, and Fire Chief Steve Holm said it will be either one. The chief said, “This is just to help us cover where we can’t do it. I have a couple of full-time people who enjoy working and will come in and pick up shifts, but I have others who get exhausted doing it or have other things to do, and they don’t have time to pick up another shift.”

Chief Holm said that currently, the salary ordinance requires a medical certification for a part-time person to fill the vacancy. He said he doesn’t mandate someone to fill an open shift, but the department is on track to run 150 more calls this year than last year, so the need is there. He said the increase in calls for service just keeps growing year after year.

Councilman Ecker asked about pay, and the chief said it is $16.82 per hour. The chief said he would like to raise the salaries of part-time paramedics, advanced EMTs, and basic EMTs because they can find part-time work in other area departments at a better hourly wage. He explained that Culver, Lakeville, LaPaz, and Argos pay more.

Currently, EMT Basics are at $16.82, and he would like to increase that to $20.82. EMT Advanced is currently paid $17.91 hourly, and he would like to increase that to $21.91. The paramedics are at $19.22, and he would like to increase that to $25.22. Chief Holm said this information was just for your benefit and not a current request, which will come in the future.

Chief Holm said firefighters with the firefighter 1 & 2 certification can operate a fire truck and drive an ambulance if needed, but cannot provide patient care.

The Plymouth City Council unanimously approved the new job description for a part-time firefighter 1 & 2.