ROCKLEDGE, Fla. — Brevard County firefighters say they are still in a stalemate with the county over pay.

According to information from Brevard Fire Rescue, nearly 100 firefighters them left the department this year.

District Chief Ryan Barrack, who has been with Brevard Fire Rescue for 16 years, said pay rates for firefighters in the county are driving the exodus. 

He is also the secretary and treasurer for Brevard County Firefighters Local 2969, which puts him on the front lines of the battle with the county over pay.

“From a negotiation standpoint, we’re at an impasse," he said. "Negotiations are stalled."

Barrack said of the 480 positions with BCFR, 97 firefighters and paramedics have retired, left, or gotten jobs with other departments.

He says in some cases the pay in other places is $30,000 more a year.

And 2024 was not a good year for his department when it comes to employee attrition.

“Traditionally the county expects to see ten to 12% attrition from all their departments, and what we’ve done here, unfortunately, in Fire Rescue is double that this year," Barrack said. "We’re approaching a 20% attrition rate.

Right now, a firefighter with Brevard Fire Rescue has a starting wage of around $15 an hour, which Barrack said has been a factor in the department’s low retention rates.

Back in June, firefighters and their families rallied for better pay outside the Brevard County Government Center ahead of the County Commission meeting.

Brevard County officials say they recognize the need to hire more personnel and have taken many steps in that direction, including job fairs and sponsorships.

Barrack  said members of the firefighter’s union plan to speak at the Dec. 17 County Commission meeting.