How a tax increase could help Wilmington Firefighters

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY)–From fires to accidents, firefighters put their lives on the line each day. A local fire department union is pushing for increased funding to recruit and retain workers.

Downtown Wilmington gas leaks, a veterinary medical center explosion and a shooting in a parking deck on Market Street are just some of the high-stress calls firefighters respond to. It is one of the most treacherous jobs in the world, and Jordan Pettid says you have to pay the right price for the work.

“Firefighters are the ones who are responding to structure fires. We respond to anything and everything you can possibly think of,” said Pettid.

Pettid is the president of the Wilmington Professional Firefighters Association Local 129. In a Facebook post, he asked taxpayers and the City Council to support an increase of 6 cents per $100 in property taxes.

That amounts to about $23 per month for a home valued at nearly $450,000 — roughly the cost of two takeout meals.

Pettid said if the plan is approved, it would help firefighters afford to live in Wilmington, where housing prices have skyrocketed in recent years.

“The tax increase would be beneficial not only to city employees, but also to the community as a whole,” Pettid said. “If we can retain and recruit new talent and keep the people we have, then we have more experienced firefighters and first responders who can respond to emergencies.”

The plan was originally proposed by City Manager Becky Hawke, who presented it to City Council members and asked to increase firefighter pay from the current $45,000.

“$58,360 would be the starting point for a firefighter under this new plan,” Hawke said.

That could help retain firefighters like those who responded to the Graystone Inn fire. In November 2025, the Graystone Inn Manor caught fire. Older buildings like these are more complicated because they can burn longer and often have hard-to-reach spaces.

With these challenges, some residents are asking whether the tax increase is worth it to improve firefighter pay.

“I think it’s definitely needed. I own a home care agency in town. A big part of our work — when a client falls — is calling the fire department. There are a lot of things people don’t think about. They are a necessity in our community,” said Bradley Benson.

“Wilmington is growing extremely fast, so we definitely need to support the fire department. They have to be everywhere,” said Dru Richard.

Pettid also said that if the plan is approved, the department would be able to introduce a new mental health program for firefighters.