Lateral Firefighter

Step 3: 24 to 35 months of full-time career employment = $7,931.00

Step 2: 36 + months (3 years) or more of full-time career employment = $8,371.62

* (Once a lateral completes 12 months of employment, they shall move to the next step.)

The following is an overview of the benefits available to SE Thurston Fire Authority Firefighters. This position is represented by IAFF LOCAL 3628.

Benefits Overview

The following is an overview of the benefits available to SE Thurston Fire Authority Firefighters. This position is represented by IAFF Local 3628.

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance -100% employer-paid coverage through the WA Fire Commissioners Association PPO100 (First Choice Health Network) for employees and eligible dependents.

Post-Retirement Medical Coverage -Firefighters who retire with at least 20 years of service with SETFA and are age 53 or older are eligible for 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage until age 65 or Medicare eligibility, whichever comes first.

Retirement-Enrollment in the Washington State LEOFF 2 retirement system. This defined-benefit plan provides pension eligibility based on service credit and final average compensation. Employer and employee contributions apply. Visit www.drs.wa.gov for more information.

Deferred Compensation (457 Plan) -Employees may defer pre-tax retirement contributions, with employer matching of 5% in 2025 and 6% in 2026.

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) -SE Thurston Fire Authority contributes $1,200 per year into each firefighter’s HRA account to support medical expenses.

Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) -SETFA contributes $75 per month into each firefighter’s post-retirement medical expense account.

Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) -Upon separation or retirement, eligible employees receive a tax-free deposit into an HRA/VEBA account based on unused sick leave, per the Collective Bargaining Agreement. These funds may be used for qualified medical expenses.

Kelly Day Leave -Firefighters receive 18 Kelly days annually, reducing total hours worked to help balance workload and support wellness.

Vacation Leave

• 0–5 years: 144 hours/year

• 6–10 years: 192 hours/year

• 11–15 years: 240 hours/year

• 16+ years: 288 hours/year

Sick Leave Accrued at 24 hours/month with no maximum cap.

Holidays -11 paid holidays annually: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.

Personal Day - Firefighters receive three personal leave day per year.

Tuition IncentiveEarn an additional 2% base wage increase for an Associate’s Degree or 4% for a Bachelor’s Degree after completing probation.

Longevity PayReceive a 2% base wage increase every five years of continuous service with SETFA.

Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)Annual wage increases of 2% to 5%, tied to the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue CPI-W index.

Disclaimer:

This bulletin is for informational purposes only. Pay, benefits, and working conditions are subject to change and governed by the current Collective Bargaining Agreement and any applicable MOUs between SE Thurston Fire Authority and IAFF Local 3628.