National City firefighters are advocating for fair compensation during a recent city council meeting, emphasizing their critical role in the community. The president of the National City Firefighters Association presented a compelling case, highlighting that current firefighter salaries rank 17 out of 18 in the county. He urged city officials to consider a proposal that would elevate their compensation to the ninth position, placing them in a more respectable middle ground.

The firefighters' representative pointed out discrepancies in the city’s financial assessments, arguing that consistent overestimations of expenses and underestimations of revenues indicate the city’s capacity to provide fair pay. He stressed that the latest city offer of a 3% increase would further drop firefighters to the bottom rank by the end of a three-year contract, sending a negative message about how the city values its first responders.

The speaker reminded council members that negotiations are not merely about numbers but about the lives and families of the firefighters who serve the community. He urged the council to focus on the current financial data rather than future projections, reinforcing the importance of valuing those who risk their lives for National City residents.

As the council moved into closed session, they were set to review a packet of information submitted by the firefighters, which included proposed changes to their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a compensation survey. The outcome of these discussions could significantly impact the morale and financial well-being of the city’s firefighters, who are deeply invested in their roles as community protectors.