The minimum hourly wage for a new firefighter recruit is $12.33. New police recruits make around the same.
That wage now qualifies these first-responders for subsidized housing in Knoxville.
"It's been going on for decades," said Kevin Faddis, the President of The Knoxville Firefighters Association. In August 1978, more than 200 police and firefighters in Knoxville marched to City Hall to push for more pay. In 2021, they aren't marching with signs; however, the issue is still prevalent.
Faddis has been in the industry for 26 years. He worked up the ladder from new recruit to a Battalion Chief.
According to a job posting for an entry-level firefighter position, the starting salary is around $35,000. After two years, that recruit can work up $38,000. Then, a senior firefighter moves into the $42,000 range.
"I wanted to know what low income meant. I because I truly didn't know. So I looked it up. And when I looked it up, lo and behold, we fall into that.. our starting pay is around 35,000 dollars," Faddis said.