Firefighter Compensation and Benefits

• An entry-level Gresham fire suppression employee, excluding Battalion Chiefs, earns 12 hours of paid time off each month (six shifts per year).
• PTO increases with length of service.
• A senior-level Gresham fire suppression employee earns 30 hours of paid time off per month (15 shifts per year).
• Newly hired lateral firefighters will be placed on the PTO accrual scale based on fully completed months of previous fire suppression service.

PTO accrual scale

Fire suppression employees

The normal work shedule for fire suppression employees is 24 consecutive hours on duty and 72 consecutive hours off duty, followed by 48 consecutive hours on duty and 72 consecutive hours off duty, unless otherwise specified. 

Life safety employees

The normal work schedule for life safety employees is four ten hour days per workweek with an additional non-paid lunch period and a three day weekend, unless otherwise specified. The City will make every reasonable effort to schedule workweeks to allow either a Friday or Monday off, as defined by seniority with considerations of division staffing needs. 

All suppression personnel assigned to 24-hour shifts will receive a 24-hour shift off (Kelly day) every 10th consecutively assigned platoon shift, reducing the work week to 50.54 hours. 

Salary scale

Salary progression

Entry level

New firefighters are hired at Step 1 of the salary schedule and are eligible to advance to Step 2 upon successful completion of a 12-month probationary period. 

Lateral experience

New lateral entry firefighters/paramedics are placed within the salary steps based on the full-time experience shown below, with credit given for up to a maximum of 48 completed months. Lateral hires are eligible to advance to the next step on the salary schedule upon successful completion of a 12-month probationary period. 

Gresham firefighters enjoy the ability to diversify their career path through participation in numerous specialty assignments within the Fire Department. These assignments offer specialty pay on top of base salary.

Assignments include:

• EMT-Paramedic
• Hazardous Materials Team
• Water Rescue Team
• Scuba Dive Team, SWAT
• Technical Rescue Team
• Urban Search and Rescue Team
• SCBA Technician
• Field Training Officer

Specialty assignment pay

The City offers firefighters multiple options for medical and dental insurance, many of which are provided at no premium cost to employees, spouse and children. Learn more about these benefits.

• The Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) is a hybrid pension plan with two components the Pension Program and the Individual Account Program (IAP). The pension is calculated based on highest salary earned and length of service.
• The City also offers a 457 deferred compensation plan.
• Learn more about City retirement benefits.

Gresham Firefighters are represented by the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF Local 1062), a labor union that protects firefighter rights, compensation and benefits. Learn more about the IAFF labor union.

IAFF Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP)

The MERP provides a reimbursement trust for health care expenses in retirement. The account is funded by a set employee contribution and employer match. 

HRA VEBA

Firefighters also receive a City-funded account through the health reimbursement arrangement (HRA VEBA) that provides funds to be used for medical expenses now or in retirement.

Firefighters can use tax-deferred funds to pay for health expenses and dependent care, including daycare and camp.

• Life insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Deferred compensation
• Uniforms and uniform cleaning
• Travel assistance
• Legal Shield