City Discusses Fire Academy Trainee MOU

During Tuesday’s Cumberland Mayor and City Council’s Open Work Session, the Council discussed creating a Memorandum of Understanding for trainees going through the City’s Fire Academy.  A minimum of $15,000 is invested per trainee without a mandated commitment—unlike the five-year contract required by the Police Academy—and $25,000 in overtime for instructors.  City Administrator Jeff Silka said a Fire Academy MOU would protect the City’s investments and taxpayer money…

“Since 2020, we had 11 people leave within four years.  Nine of those have left within two years—one left as soon as they got their EMT certification.  Four left after full-time paramedics.  So, basically what we’re doing is becoming a training ground.”