Yuma first responders are looking to recruit and retain

Yuma Police and Yuma Fire are looking for higher wages to keep employees in Yuma.

The pay gaps between Yuma agencies and Phoenix-metropolitan agencies is in the thousands for both YPD and YFD.

The midpoint pay for a Yuma firefighter is $51,296 and in Peoria, Ariz. at $57,195, according to the Yuma Fire Department. This is a difference of 10.3 percent.

It only took a firefighter in Peoria about four years to reach their midpoint, but in Yuma, it takes nine.

The midpoint pay for a police officer is $59,486.50 and in Peoria, it is $65,246.21. A 9.7 percent difference, according to YPD.

Yuma Fire said they have not felt the same aftermath as YPD, but they want to start now to make changes that will prevent them from facing more adversity.

Yuma Police said they began feeling the effects of the divide in 2015.

Other agencies in the metropolitan area were targeting their experienced officers and were able to offer them a more competitive wage and benefits.

Both agencies met with City officials on Tuesday to discuss new pay plans for employees.

The City of Yuma said a raise will already be implemented in January, but they will discuss more additions for the next fiscal year.

“I think the overall thing is the ultimate thing everybody would like to do is be able to grow, grow our revenue, grow our economy. To get their wages back to somewhere close to being competitive,” said Greg Wilkinson, City of Yuma Administrator.

Discussions between Yuma City Council and the two agencies will continue.