Anne Arundel County firefighters will reach their maximum salary faster and get higher raises but lose allowances after an independent arbitrator sided with firefighters Wednesday. The union and the county had not been able to agree on a contract. The two-year agreement implements a step scale system that shortens how long it takes firefighters to reach maximum salary and includes a 4-percent increase between those steps. The pay scale will be implemented over a two-year period. The union offered to remove two yearly allowances for special training and EMT certification. Employees on the top step of their pay grade by June 30 will retain those allowances. “I view Anne Arundel County as one of the wealthiest counties in the state, and very much able to afford the union’s (last, best and final offer),” arbitrator William Lowe wrote in his decision.