Marion County administration, MCFR administration and union leadership sign the new collective bargaining agreement. From left: MCFR Deputy Chief Robert Graff, MCFR Chief James Banta, Marion County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes, IAFF 3169 President Rolin Boyd, IAFF 3169 2nd Vice President Joe Romani, Marion County Assistant Administrator Amanda Tart.
Government
2026-06-035 min readMarion County Approves $60 Million Firefighters' Contract, Strengthening Public Safety and Workforce Recruitment
This is a government news article published on 2026-06-03 covering local Marion County, Florida news. The Marion County Board of County Commissioners approved a new collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 3169 on June 2, 2026, representing approximately $60 million over the life of the contract. The deal raises starting pay for dual-certified firefighter/paramedics to $75,022, adds 3% annual cost-of-living increases, builds in 5% longevity raises every five years, and transitions Marion County Fire Rescue to a 24-on, 72-off schedule by October 2029.
Updated 3 months ago
By Only In Ocala News Team
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Marion County firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs will soon receive some of the most competitive pay and benefits in Florida following approval of a new collective bargaining agreement by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
Representing an investment of approximately $60 million over the life of the contract, county leaders say the agreement is one of the most significant commitments to public safety personnel in Marion County's history. The contract is designed to strengthen recruitment, retention, employee wellness, and the long-term sustainability of emergency services throughout the community.
The agreement, reached between Marion County and the Professional Firefighters of Marion County, IAFF Local 3169, provides substantial enhancements to compensation, benefits, and quality-of-life initiatives for the first responders who answer the call for residents and visitors across Marion County's 1,663 square miles — from Dunnellon in the west to the Ocala National Forest in the east.
The contract establishes some of the highest entry-level public-safety salaries in Central Florida. Starting pay under the new agreement:
Beyond the starting salaries, the agreement layers in several structural raises and quality-of-life provisions:
- Annual 3% cost-of-living adjustments
- 5% longevity increases every 5 years of service
- 80 hours of paid holiday leave annually
- Holiday hours worked compensated at 1.5 times the employee's hourly rate
- $2-per-hour transport stipend for dual-certified firefighter/paramedics
- $0.75-per-hour transport stipend for dual-certified firefighter/EMTs
- Transition to a 24-hours-on, 72-hours-off work schedule by October 2029
County officials said the agreement is intended not only to support first responders, but also to ensure Marion County remains competitive in attracting and retaining highly qualified emergency personnel in an increasingly tight public-safety labor market.
One of the agreement's most significant provisions is the transition to a 24/72 work schedule. By 2029, firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs within the union will work a 24-hour shift followed by 72 hours off duty. The schedule provides additional recovery time between shifts, supporting physical health, mental wellness, family engagement, and overall job performance.
Fire service agencies across the country have increasingly adopted the model to reduce fatigue, improve employee retention, and enhance operational readiness. It is the same shift structure used by several of the largest fire departments in the state of Florida.
"Our firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs show up every day ready to serve and protect our community, and this agreement reflects our commitment to them," said County Commission Chairman Carl Zalak III. "By investing in better pay, benefits, and work-life balance, we're supporting the people who keep Marion County safe and helping ensure we continue to attract and retain the best first responders for years to come."
The agreement is the result of years of planning and collaboration among county administration, the Board of County Commissioners, Marion County Fire Rescue leadership, and IAFF Local 3169. Many of the contract provisions align with recommendations identified through Marion County Fire Rescue's Blue Sky Project, a comprehensive initiative focused on improving recruitment, retention, employee wellness, and organizational sustainability.
"This contract changes the trajectory of Marion County Fire Rescue," said Fire Chief James Banta. "It is an investment in the people who answer the call every day and a commitment to building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient workforce. The support shown by our county commission and county administration demonstrates their recognition of the critical role our firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs play in safeguarding this community."
For a community where public safety is a regular topic in conversations with new arrivals, the deal lands at a meaningful moment. Marion County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida by population, and call volumes for MCFR have risen with it. Better-paid, better-rested, longer-tenured firefighter-paramedics are the practical face of the investment for the families inside the houses, businesses, and traffic accidents those crews respond to.
The new salaries also reshape Marion County Fire Rescue as a local employer. A $75,022 starting salary for a dual-certified firefighter/paramedic puts MCFR squarely in the competitive band with the largest metro fire departments in the state and well above the 2026 Florida median household income.
The agreement was ratified by IAFF Local 3169 and approved by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners. Implementation of the contract provisions will begin according to the timelines established within the agreement.
County leaders said the agreement positions Marion County Fire Rescue to remain a destination agency for top public safety professionals while continuing to provide the high-quality emergency response services residents depend on every day.
- Marion County Commissioners — who voted on the agreement
- Marion County Government Hub — departments, meetings, public records
- Is Ocala Safe? — A Look at Crime, Public Safety & Emergency Services
- Ocala Fire Museum — the city's fire-service history
- Jobs in Ocala — including emergency-services hiring
- Marion County Hurricane Preparedness — MCFR's role in storm response
For the full contract and official meeting record, see the Marion County government website.
Representing an investment of approximately $60 million over the life of the contract, county leaders say the agreement is one of the most significant commitments to public safety personnel in Marion County's history. The contract is designed to strengthen recruitment, retention, employee wellness, and the long-term sustainability of emergency services throughout the community.
The agreement, reached between Marion County and the Professional Firefighters of Marion County, IAFF Local 3169, provides substantial enhancements to compensation, benefits, and quality-of-life initiatives for the first responders who answer the call for residents and visitors across Marion County's 1,663 square miles — from Dunnellon in the west to the Ocala National Forest in the east.
What the Contract Pays
The contract establishes some of the highest entry-level public-safety salaries in Central Florida. Starting pay under the new agreement:
| Certification | Starting Salary |
|---|---|
| Dual-certified Firefighter / Paramedic | $75,022 |
| Dual-certified Firefighter / EMT | $65,067 |
| Single-certified Paramedic | $72,239 |
| Single-certified EMT | $61,815 |
Additional Benefits in the Deal
Beyond the starting salaries, the agreement layers in several structural raises and quality-of-life provisions:
- Annual 3% cost-of-living adjustments
- 5% longevity increases every 5 years of service
- 80 hours of paid holiday leave annually
- Holiday hours worked compensated at 1.5 times the employee's hourly rate
- $2-per-hour transport stipend for dual-certified firefighter/paramedics
- $0.75-per-hour transport stipend for dual-certified firefighter/EMTs
- Transition to a 24-hours-on, 72-hours-off work schedule by October 2029
County officials said the agreement is intended not only to support first responders, but also to ensure Marion County remains competitive in attracting and retaining highly qualified emergency personnel in an increasingly tight public-safety labor market.
Why 24/72 Matters
One of the agreement's most significant provisions is the transition to a 24/72 work schedule. By 2029, firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs within the union will work a 24-hour shift followed by 72 hours off duty. The schedule provides additional recovery time between shifts, supporting physical health, mental wellness, family engagement, and overall job performance.
Fire service agencies across the country have increasingly adopted the model to reduce fatigue, improve employee retention, and enhance operational readiness. It is the same shift structure used by several of the largest fire departments in the state of Florida.
What Leadership Said
"Our firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs show up every day ready to serve and protect our community, and this agreement reflects our commitment to them," said County Commission Chairman Carl Zalak III. "By investing in better pay, benefits, and work-life balance, we're supporting the people who keep Marion County safe and helping ensure we continue to attract and retain the best first responders for years to come."
The agreement is the result of years of planning and collaboration among county administration, the Board of County Commissioners, Marion County Fire Rescue leadership, and IAFF Local 3169. Many of the contract provisions align with recommendations identified through Marion County Fire Rescue's Blue Sky Project, a comprehensive initiative focused on improving recruitment, retention, employee wellness, and organizational sustainability.
"This contract changes the trajectory of Marion County Fire Rescue," said Fire Chief James Banta. "It is an investment in the people who answer the call every day and a commitment to building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient workforce. The support shown by our county commission and county administration demonstrates their recognition of the critical role our firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs play in safeguarding this community."
What It Means Locally
For a community where public safety is a regular topic in conversations with new arrivals, the deal lands at a meaningful moment. Marion County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida by population, and call volumes for MCFR have risen with it. Better-paid, better-rested, longer-tenured firefighter-paramedics are the practical face of the investment for the families inside the houses, businesses, and traffic accidents those crews respond to.
The new salaries also reshape Marion County Fire Rescue as a local employer. A $75,022 starting salary for a dual-certified firefighter/paramedic puts MCFR squarely in the competitive band with the largest metro fire departments in the state and well above the 2026 Florida median household income.
The agreement was ratified by IAFF Local 3169 and approved by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners. Implementation of the contract provisions will begin according to the timelines established within the agreement.
County leaders said the agreement positions Marion County Fire Rescue to remain a destination agency for top public safety professionals while continuing to provide the high-quality emergency response services residents depend on every day.
Related Coverage on Only In Ocala
- Marion County Commissioners — who voted on the agreement
- Marion County Government Hub — departments, meetings, public records
- Is Ocala Safe? — A Look at Crime, Public Safety & Emergency Services
- Ocala Fire Museum — the city's fire-service history
- Jobs in Ocala — including emergency-services hiring
- Marion County Hurricane Preparedness — MCFR's role in storm response
For the full contract and official meeting record, see the Marion County government website.
Marion County
Marion County Fire Rescue
IAFF Local 3169
Public Safety
County Commission
Firefighters
Paramedics
EMT
Collective Bargaining
Carl Zalak
James Banta
Government
Blue Sky Project
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