Selma Fire Chief Toney Stevens offered long term solutions for the Selma Fire Department (SFD) at the Public Safety meeting on Wednesday at the George P. Evans Building.

The Public safety committee members – City Council President Corey Bowie and councilwomen Susan Youngblood and Jannie Thomas – listened to the SFD members in attendance. Bowie said the Selma Police Department (SPD) were invited, but they did not show up.

Former Mayor George Evans, Dallas County Probate Judge-elect Jimmy Nunn, councilwoman Miah Jackson and city clerk Ivy Harrison were also at the meeting.

Job security and overtime were the main concerns for the SFD. Stevens said three SFD officers will be leaving this week, bringing the total membership to 19. Stevens also said the hourly salary is $9.83, but it boosts up to $15 when they work overtime. He said SFD members work over 72 hours of overtime.

“Allow the staff personnel to work overtime so that other firefighters can be with their families,” Stevens said. “Consider hiring part-time firefighters. I’ve been asking for that the last two years.”

Bowie said the committee will work with Stevens about stabilizing overtime in the SFD once he sees where the city is financially. Getting new equipment is another need for the SFD.

“We will do our best to alleviate you,” Bowie said. “This committee will be results oriented.”

Clifford O. Hunter of the Alabama Career Center spoke about a job training program for new full-time hires in the SFD and SPD. The program will reimburse the city and pay half that person’s salary for six months.

Bowie said the money could be earmarked for the SFD via an ordinance in the city council.

“It’s a win win situation for the city,” Hunter said.

Stevens encouraged the SFD to work with the public safety committee. He also urged the city officials to put aside their differences and work together.

The city council work session will be held Thursday at 5 p.m. at city hall.