Fort Smith Fire Chief Requests 14% Pay Increase to Combat Firefighter Exodus
Fort Smith Fire Department (FSFD) Chief Darrell Clark has informed the Fort Smith Board of Directors that a proposed 6.5% pay increase is insufficient to retain trained firefighters. Chief Clark is advocating for a 14% pay raise, citing that the department is at a critical juncture due to uncompetitive salaries. He highlighted that three personnel have recently resigned or are in the process of resigning to join the Fayetteville Fire Department, which offers higher pay. The FSFD is currently among the lowest-paying fire departments compared to 10 other comparable Arkansas cities, including Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Springdale. For instance, starting pay in Fort Smith is $43,803, while Fayetteville offers $52,619. The city's proposed 2027 budget includes $755,000 for fire department raises, but a 14% increase would require an additional $895,000 from the General Fund to reach the estimated $1.65 million total cost. In 2023, the Fort Smith Police Department received a 23% p...
