The current base salary for a first-class firefighter in Red Deer is $109,853 per year in addition to benefits and pension, premiums and shift differentials. A Captain earns approximately $134,020. The position of Platoon Chief (PC) earns approximately $148,301.

Overtime is paid at double the regular rate. For a first-class firefighter, the regular pay rate in 2024 is $50.11/hour. With overtime, this becomes $100.22/hour.

• OT Shift Example: For a 14-hour night shift, a first-class firefighter will earn $1,403.08. This is calculated as $100.22/hour x 14 hours.
• Regular Pay Example: For a 14-hour night shift, a first-class firefighter will earn $701.54. This is calculated at $50.11/hour x 14 hours.

In 2024, The City of Red Deer paid out $3.2 million in overtime to emergency services employees.

As part of the 2025 budget deliberations, City Council initiated decreases in the budgets for many City departments.  City Council directed a decrease of approximately $600,000, to be realized through implementation of dynamic staffing in emergency services.

There have been no job cuts in emergency services. In fact, since 2022, 32 firefighter/paramedic positions have been added within emergency services.