District unifies deputy chief pay

In an effort to simplify the district's payroll and make its salary structure more equitable, East Naples Fire & Rescue board members voted to accept Chief Bob Schank's recommendation to pay all three deputy chiefs the same base salary regardless of seniority.

Greg Speers / East Naples Fire Department

In this 2006 file photo, then-East Naples Fire Chief Bob Schank and then- operations chief Leo Davis welcome firefighter/paramedic Margo Klingensmith and firefighter/EMT Nick Varro to the district.

The deputy chiefs, who head up the support services, fire prevention and operations divisions, will now earn $84,000 each per year.

Schank said the move would cost the district an additional $2,000 for the remainder of the year.

Of four new personnel hired at the June 13 meeting, three are former Collier County EMS paramedics including, John Yates, Eric Clere and Margot Klingensmith. Yates was last year's EMS Paramedic of the Year.

Nick Varro, a recent fire school graduate, was also hired.

In other business, the board directed the chief to consult the district's attorney to determine whether the board position vacated by the death of Daniel Farrell would need to be formally advertised before it can be filled.