Foley firefighters will soon have more steps on the career ladder after Foley City Council approved a restructuring that adds new positions aimed at improving advancement, recruitment and retention.

The reorganization creates two roles between entry-level firefighter and lieutenant: an advanced firefighter position and a dedicated driver operator slot. Fire Chief Joey Darby said the added layers close a wide gap that had limited growth within the department.

“Currently with our firefighter positions, between our entry-level position and our lieutenant's position, which is the next ranked officer, there's a five pay-grade difference,” Darby said. “This will give us some real good bandwidth to be able to add some positions.”

Darby said the change is expected to strengthen recruitment by showing applicants a clear path forward in a competitive labor market.

“We will have more of an entry-level position, but also show that upward mobility,” Darby said. “We think that'll make us a little more attractive, competitive in the market.”

City leaders said retention was another driving factor. Foley Executive Director for Public Safety Thurston Bullock said the department needed a structure that encouraged firefighters to stay and develop long-term careers.

“We believe it's going to be great for the future of the Fire Department,” Bullock said. “The retention aspect is another thing that we looked at. It's going to be a great morale boost for the Fire Department. It's going to give them a career path from the entry-level all the way up to the lieutenant level, be able to climb that ladder and be able to make rank, and then the natural leaders will develop through that process and the cream will rise to the top. We're excited.”

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the change builds on earlier efforts to modernize the department’s structure.

“This is really an incentive program too for the rank and file,” Hellmich said. “Two or three years ago, we reorganized and made some changes at the command staff levels, which helped. We've also done this for the Police Department. This helps us remain competitive across the board with our Fire Department and takes care of our folks. It gives them an incentive to move up.”