Though the Alexandria Fire Department doesnât have any female firefighters, the cityâs Board of Works and Safety on Monday voted unanimously in favor of a contract that would double the number of weeks for paid maternity leave from four to eight.
Capt. Adam Matson said the newly approved contract also provides three days of paternity leave.
âI donât know of a lot of fire departments that have maternity leave,â he admitted. âWeâve made great strides to get it to eight weeks. Weâre hoping in â23 to go to 12.â
The Family and Medical Leave Act makes unpaid leave available to new parents working for larger employers. The Alexandria Fire Department has offered four weeks of paid maternity for the past four years, Matson said.
The department doesnât have any current job openings, but Matson said he hopes the paid maternity and paternity leaves will be attractive to future candidates.
