DeKalb County approves major salary and benefit enhancements for Fire Rescue Personnel, invests $10M

DEKALB COUNTY, GA–DeKalb County approved a sweeping package of salary increases and benefit enhancements for sworn fire personnel, EMTs, and paramedics, with changes rolling out throughout 2026. The investment, totaling more than $10 million across the Fire Fund and General Fund, was designed to make the county more competitive in recruiting and retaining first responders.

Salary adjustments totaling $4.83 million took effect March 28, with the first adjusted paychecks issued April 17. Fire personnel across ranks received pay increases ranging from 3.7% to 20%. Fire Recruits moved to a minimum of $55,000 and Firefighters to $57,750, while Fire Captains and Rescue Captains received the largest jump at a 20% increase with minimum pay of $85,000. Senior leadership, including Battalion Chiefs through the Fire Chief, received 10% increases. EMTs, Paramedics, and Paramedic Supervisors also received adjustments, with new rates ranging from $57,750 to $77,570.

Effective July 1, the county will offer $0 premium medical coverage to sworn fire personnel enrolled in the High-Deductible Health Plan with HSA, with a buy-up option for richer plans. The $3 million initiative is paired with a new simplified holiday pay structure taking effect in December 2026, providing up to 88 or 116.6 hours of holiday pay depending on schedule, at an estimated annual cost of $1.1 million.

Fire personnel living in DeKalb County also will be eligible for a $500 monthly housing allowance starting July 4, mirroring the program already in place for DeKalb Police. The county will additionally cover a $25 monthly annuity through the Georgia State Firefighter Pension Fund. Eligible employees can receive annual cash payouts for up to one-quarter of unused sick leave accrued the prior year (up to 104 hours), provided they maintain a minimum bank of 240 hours, or equivalent based on schedule.

This year’s investment builds on last year’s comparable package for the DeKalb County Police Department, reflecting a multi-year strategy to keep both departments competitive and fully staffed.

“Last year, we made a historic investment in our police officers. This year, we are doing the same for our firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs. Public safety is not a one-department promise, it’s a commitment to every first responder who wears the DeKalb County uniform and every resident who depends on them,” said DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson.

Implementation was led by Human Resources, Fire Rescue, Office of Management and Budget, Finance, and Information Technology, with rollout staggered across 2026.