Hiring Off Duty Personnel

The Charleston  Fire Department Off Duty Employment Program allows members to provide certain off duty services to the public within the City of Charleston. The Department does not require members to work and does not guarantee all or any requests will be filled. Services for off duty requests are strictly voluntary on behalf of the members in the Department and their availability. All requests should be made at least 48 hours prior to the event and are subject to approval. Requests received with less than 48 hours' notice are subject to increased hourly rates. 

If more than three (3) members  are requested or required for an assignment, the fourth member must be a supervisor.   Generally, a ratio of 3 team members to 1 supervisor will be maintained as members are added to the event, but staffing will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  When an event requires more than eight (8) members an incident or event supervisor may be required.  Rates are detailed below.

CLICK HERE FOR OFF DUTY APPLICATION

General Requirements and Rates: 

  • All approved jobs have a three (3) hour minimum .  If the event is cancelled without a 24 hour notice, or concludes before the three (3) hour time period, payment will be made for the full three (3) hours. 
  • Members who accept any special duty assignment may only act or perform within their designated scope and within the requested and approved description for the detail. 
  • All payments must be made through the EDS (Extra Duty Solutions) system - no other forms of payment will be accepted.
  • Members are required to be in uniform and carry department issued equipment.

Payment Information

Assigned Position Based on Activity or need

Pay Per Hour

Firefighter, EMT, or Fire watch

Company Officer or Fire Marshal

Incident or Event Supervisor

Employee Rate 

$ 40.00

$ 45.00

$ 50.00

Worker's Comp Fee (5%)

$ 2.00

$ 2.25

$ 2.50

Admin Fee (10%)

$ 4.00

$ 4.50

$ 5.00

Total per hour

$ 46.00

$ 51.75

$ 57.50

 

Holiday*

Employee Rate

$50

$55

$60


Workers' Compensation

Workers' Compensations coverage for each member is required. The employing company/individual will be charged 5% of the members  pay for this coverage. This fee will be included in the total payment.

Staffing Requirements

The  Fire Marshal Division and members of the Special Event Committee will determine the number of personnel required for the assignment.

Filling Assignments

Off duty employment is voluntary and is done on the members time off from the Department.  Members assigned to an off duty event are subject to recall by the agency at any time. 

Cancellation Procedures

To cancel an off duty request, a minimum of 24 hours' notice must be given to the Charleston Fire Department through the Extra Duty Solutions Company, otherwise the employer will be responsible for the fees associated with a minimum three hour contract. To cancel, please call Extra Duty Solutions at 843-226-7167.

Member Not Reporting For Assignment

If a member is scheduled to work an off duty assignment and does not report for the assignment, the employer should notify Extra Duty Solutions at 843-226-7167.

Procedures for Requesting an Off Duty Member:


*Recognized Holidays are subject to change without notice.  Typical Holidays include:  New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve.