Detroit FD seniority based promotion system to change after 150 years
According to Bill McGraw at birdgemi.com, a tentative agreement has been reached between the City of Detroit and the Detroit Fire Fighters Association to radically change the department’s seniority based promotion system that has been in place since the earliest days of the department in 1867. It’s something that Detroit mayors have tried to alter for five decades but until now were unable to get the union to budge.
Union president Jeff Pegg told McGraw, “It’s huge.” Pegg explained it isn’t something the union wanted. Pegg says seniority is still the fairest system but they are dealing with the reality of negotiating with Mayor Mike Duggan or having something implemented by Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr.
Merit is not part of the current system but that is expected to change next July 1.
Under the current system, a recruit generally will remain in the primary rank of firefighter for at least 18 years before being promoted to sergeant, then spend several more years before becoming a lieutenant, then a few more before obtaining the rank of captain. Officers in those ranks command the department’s fire rigs and stations.
Under the new plan, firefighters will be able to apply to become a sergeant after eight years of service. Sergeants, lieutenants and captains must spend 30 months in their classification before applying to the next grade.
Applicants will take a written test, receive an evaluation of work and disciplinary history and undergo an interview.
