Politics & Government

San Ramon Valley Fire District Has Second Highest Average Salary Among Special Districts in California

The fire district board is meeting with union representatives to discuss compensation. High level of service noted in defense of salaries.

The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District has the second highest average employee salary among the 1,504 special districts listed in a new public pay study.

The state Controller's Office has put the 2011 salary and benefits information on a website. It details city, county and special district payrolls.

The average salary for special districts across California was $54,468 a year. The average annual salary in the San Ramon Valley fire district was $128,969.

Find out what's happening in San Ramonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Matt Stamey, president of the district's board of directors, said board members were meeting Friday with union representatives to discuss salaries and benefits.

"We want to bring compensation to more sustainable levels," said Stamey.

Find out what's happening in San Ramonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Stamey said other comparable districts have already re-negotiated salaries in light of government spending cuts. He said San Ramon Valley Fire's compensation will probably be more in line with other districts after the talks.

At the same time, Stamey noted the district covers 155 square miles serving almost 170,000 residents. The terrain differs from residential neighborhoods to business districts to the rural Tassajara Valley.

He said the district provides multi-risk services and contains one of only two hazardous materials units in Contra Costa County.

"We provide a high degree of professionalism delivered by highly dedicated personnel," said Stamey.

Those comments were echoed by Interim Fire Chief Jack Barton. He said the district's current salary rates were negotiated years ago when economic conditions were different. They are now being reassessed.

He also noted the international accredition ranking awarded to the district in 2010. He said the public expects and receives top quality service.

"We have high standards for people coming into the district," said Barton. "A high level of service deserves a high level of compensation."

The negotiations are occuring as the district welcomes a new chief. Paige Meyer, Vallejo's current fire chief, will take over the San Ramon Valley district on March 18. He'll receive an annual salary of $235,000.

Here's an overview of some of the fire district numbers.

2011 Salary Study SRV Fire Special Districts Employees 211 67 (average) Average Salary $128,969 $54,468 Total Wages $27.2 million $5.5 billion

Here's the top 10 wage earners in the San Ramon Valley fire district for 2011. The employees are listed by position only.

The salaries include regular pay, overtime, lump sums and other payments. The benefits and pension are what the district contributed to the employee's plan.

Employee Salary Benefits Pension Assistant Chief $297,335 $30,941 $15,995 Fire Chief $260,411 $21,176 $0 Captain Paramedic $239,532 $30,941 $8,529 Battalion Chief $237,118 $24,125 $11,448 Firefighter Paramedic $229,295 $11,915 $7,412 Battalion Chief $228,543 $24,125 $13,135 Assistant Chief $228,265 $30,611 $15,679 Captain $219,435 $20,802 $5,175 Firefighter Paramedic $216,260 $22,876 $6.974 Battalion Chief $212,775 $20,802 $12,129


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