Trending Topics

N.C. FD switches to 24/72 shift for better work-life schedule

Greenville City Council approves a 24/72 schedule to boost recruitment and work-life balance

GREENVILLE, N.C. — The Greenville City Council approved moving the Fire Department to a 24/72 shift schedule, 24 hours on, followed by 72 hours off, making it the first metro department in the state to do so.

City and department leaders say the change is designed to improve recruitment, retention and long-term workforce stability, WNCT reported.

| MORE: Aren’t we tired of this? Sleep and shift work in the fire service

“What it does is it creates more of that work-life balance, provides more hours to replenish the mind, and also improves service care,” City Manager Michael Cowin said.

On social media, the department said it currently operates on a 24/48 schedule. The new shift schedule will give crews more time to recover, physically and mentally, from the high fire and EMS call volume.

Officials say crews will work at least 24 fewer hours each month, benefiting both employees and their families.

Do you work a 24/72 shift schedule? Do you like it? Tell us why or why not.



Trending
Officials say the NIOSH-led registry is now the nation’s largest firefighter cancer cohort, using service histories linked to state cancer data to better track risk and guide prevention
The year-long program will deploy remotely launched drones to 911 scenes to provide live video, boost responder safety and potentially deliver critical medical supplies
Wallingford firefighters faced heavy fire on the second floor of a home, pulled a dog to safety, and cleared a mayday after a firefighter rapidly exited via ladder
The FDNY says an unpermitted basement unit in a multi-family building led to a rapidly spreading blaze that killed a 34-year-old mother and her 17-day-old daughter
Company News
Hexagon’s next-generation platform provides faster, smarter emergency response

Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.