From David Volz
Oakland Park is continuing to negotiate with its first responders. City leaders want residents to believe the city cares about its fire fighters and law enforcement personnel.
Public safety shows up in the moments residents cannot plan for. A fire station that works. Equipment that holds up. People who train hard and stay ready. Those essentials stay in focus, with continued investment where it counts.
That commitment shows up in the support behind the service: pay, benefits, facilities, and equipment that help first responders do their jobs well and stay ready when residents need them most. In the city’s general fund, Police Services through BSO account for 27% of spending and Fire Rescue accounts for 22%. Together, public safety accounts for about 49% of the total, with annual spending up more than 50% since 2020.
Pay and long-term benefits make up the largest share of public safety budgets. Since FY 2022, firefighters received wage increases of more than 30%, supported by step plan enhancements and additional earning opportunities. Over the same period, BSO deputies and sergeants assigned to Oakland Park received regular annual increases that combine base pay adjustments with step increases.
The city has offered the fire rescue union a generous 18 percent salary increase over the next two years. The union countered with a 34 percent increase over the same term. Negotiations continue.
Oakland Park participates in the Florida Retirement System, with pension costs funded through state-set employer contribution rates. Recent state changes to DROP extended the program from five to eight years, giving eligible firefighters and paramedics more time to work while pension payments accumulate in a separate retirement account. A longer DROP window can significantly increase the lump sum available at separation, in addition to regular pay earned during continued service.
Support also shows up in the places and tools first responders rely on every day. Fire Station 9 opened in 2024 as a modern base for operations and support, built for today’s demands and the daily pace of emergency service.
Existing stations also received important upgrades. Grant-supported improvements at Fire Station 20 include new doors and windows, a roof replacement, and a generator replacement. Station 87 received similar improvements that support day-to-day readiness. Plans for a future new Fire Station 20 will help keep coverage aligned with community needs.
The city also invested in the BSO district offices at the municipal building. As one of the first buildings addressed through the bond program, the site received a new standby generator, impact windows and doors, a new elevator cab and equipment, and other improvements. The project totaled $1,369,547, including $546,751 from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Readiness also depends on the right tools. Oakland Park Fire Rescue recently took delivery of a new ladder truck and two new rescue units. Specialized training adds another layer of preparation, including an ALS Competition Team and a Vehicle Extrication Team. Investments that matter when seconds count. Support behind the service residents count on most.
