OC firefighters get raises as cities face higher costs

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — The Orange County Fire Authority board approved a five-year labor contract giving union firefighters 4.5% annual raises, a compounded 24.6% increase, Voice of OC reported.

The agreement could raise costs for 23 member cities that rely on OCFA service, with a June staff report estimating the raises at about $313 million over five years.

Voice of OC reported that the agreement between the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association runs from March 19, 2027, through March 11, 2032. The raises are part of a more than 200-page memorandum of understanding that also changes benefits.

A staff report said the labor costs would be passed through to some cities. "OCFA salary cost increases result in corresponding increases to cash contract city charges" the report said, according to Voice of OC.

Chris Hamm, president of the OC Professional Firefighters Association, said the contract supports firefighters while addressing long-term obligations. "It’s time that we start prioritizing our people over property, and I think this MOU does just that. Not only does it do that, it does it while fully funding our retiree healthcare fund liability. It funds our retirement to 99%" Hamm said, according to Voice of OC. OCFA Deputy Chief Robert Cortez said the agreement "provides long-term labor stability, codifies the parties’ negotiated operational framework, and establishes defined processes for items that require future joint action"

Not all board members supported the agreement. Mark Tettemer, an OCFA board director and Lake Forest council member, voted no. "I’m happy to give raises. But I’m concerned about the convergence of a number of things on this budget for this organization and what it may mean in the long run" Tettemer said, according to Voice of OC.

Robert Frackelton, an OCFA board director and Villa Park city councilman, abstained and said the timing left board members with too little review time. "The Board was provided all 200+/- pages of the new MOU less than a week before the vote" Frackelton wrote in an email cited by Voice of OC. "The contract is not up until March 2027, so I fail to see why we should be in such a rush. It would be nice to carefully review the MOU, ask questions and be prepared to vote for what’s best."

Voice of OC also reported that campaign finance disclosures show the firefighters union spent over $380,000 supporting Connor Traut’s county supervisor campaign and nearly $200,000 supporting Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley’s reelection campaign. The union also donated $160,000 to the Democratic Party of Orange County and $99,000 to the Republican Party of Orange County this year.

Stanton officials said higher OCFA costs would be paid through the city’s general fund, Voice of OC reported.