The East Peoria Fire Department is getting another first responder. Peoria Public Radio’s Alex Rusciano reports the move it is meant to save money:

The City Council approved increasing the number of firefighters from 30 to 31.  Fire Chief William Darin says the new probationary firefighter will have much lower hourly pay compared to those with more years experience:

“If we hire a regular firefighter right now on overtime, its round numbers $1,000 for a 24-hour shift,” Darin says.

“If we use what we’re going to call this firefighter a swing firefighter that we’re going to put where we need them…we can get him on a 24-hour shift for somewhere near $300 an hour.”

Darin says the new hire will save the department at least $50,000 annually in overtime.  He says the department’s three new hires in 2011 saved 125-thousand in overtime costs.  The fire department spent 300-thousand-dollars on overtime last year.  In other news the city is asking area residents to submit names for its new downtown development.  Submissions can be mailed or e-mailed to East Peoria City Hall and the deadline is March 7^th.