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Billboard complaining about firefighter overtime turning heads

The billboard was paid for by a former firefighter in order to stop mandatory overtime for firefighters

By FireRescue1 Staff

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A billboard complaining about firefighter overtime is turning heads.

WSB Radio reported that the billboard was paid for by a former firefighter in order to stop mandatory overtime for firefighters.

“The firefighters are tired,” former firefighter Michael Flanagan said. “Firefighters work 24 hours a day. Then, if they have to work overtime, they’re working another 24.”

Flanagan said the amount of overtime is affecting firefighters’ family lives as well as their health.

Capt. Tommy Rutledge said overtime became necessary after a new policy went into place in 2014, according to the report. The policy requires new recruits to receive training to become both a firefighter and a paramedic.

“We know that there’s an end to it,” Capt. Rutledge said. “We’re looking at mid-2019 once we’re able to graduate the current recruits from the academy.”

Flanagan said no current firefighters will come forward about the mandatory overtime for fear of repercussion.

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