Paid on-call Leelanau Township firefighters will receive their 2023 annual continuity “legacy” bonus after all following the township board’s unanimous approval last week.
The legacy compensation is separate from pay within the union fire contract, and is given out at the end of the year to both full-time and paid on-call firefi ghters in the township. The Dec. 12 decision to continue with the annual bonus for paid on-call personnel was originally called into question and tabled by the board in November to further discuss the matter. The total sum of legacy compensation paid to full time fire department personnel in 2023 is $10,075, while the total for paid on-call is $8,600.
The approval shows the level of confidence the board has finally shown for the paid on-call personnel, said township Fire Chief Hugh Cook, adding that the fulltime staff within the fire department, excluding himself, are under union contract. Legacy annual pay varies for different fire department personnel, but is based on the individual’s years of service and what their title may be, such as firefighter 2, fire officer 3, or assistant and deputy chiefs, Cook explained.
