MFD named 'Best in Class'

The Marysville Fire District was recognized as a ‘Best-in-Class’ employer due to qualities like their low employee turnover rate.

The honor was given by Gallagher, one of the world’s largest HR consulting firms in the world.

“We were really excited because we were up against a lot of other businesses and organizations,” said Steve Edin, Marysville Fire District’s human resources manager. “We were competing against several thousand organizations across the U.S."

This is the first time the fire district has received the award.

“So we were really glad to be put in the mid-size employer category and come out with one of their best-in-class recognitions,” said Edin.

Gallagher uses a number of data points for the award which they acquire from their annual Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking survey.

Some of those benchmarks include benefits and compensation, turnover rate, use of HR technology, affordability of health plan premiums and keeping open communication with employees.

“We believe in attracting the right people with good benefits. We don’t want high turnover here,” said Edin, who added that firefighters who stay in the community tend to serve it better. “Especially in this day and age when it is getting harder and harder to attract and retain good talent."

The fire district’s low turnover rate was one of the reasons they received the recognition, said Edin.

“That tells us that we are offering a good working environment that people feel supported in,” he said.

They also try new methods to keep and recruit firefighters to the district often, he said.

The district’s health insurance offered was another area they scored highly in.

“The health insurance we offer is through the Washington Fire Chiefs Association,” said Edin. “There has not been any increase in the premiums for that for a couple of years now,” he said.

The district employs more than 130 firefighters and administrators. Edin said district officials strive to keep a positive relationship with the local firefighters union, IAFF Local 3219.

“And when problems do come up we’re ready to deal with them,” said Edin.

He said there is a strong collaboration between the two groups.

A fire district’s workforce is important for the safety of the community as a whole.

“Our employees are our greatest asset,” said Edin. “We want to reflect that with our benefits.”