By Derrick Perkins
The Union Leader
SALEM, N.H. — Local firefighters are changing their work schedules hoping to save money by cutting down on overtime pay.
Starting in April, Fire Chief Kevin Breen’s staff will switch to 24-hour shifts. Currently, the department’s firefighters work two 10-hour day shifts and two 14-hour overnight shifts in a seven-day schedule. The change will cut down on overtime pay by limiting the chance fire personnel will work late due to emergency calls, the chief said.
“The benefits as fire department management is when you think in terms of shift overruns,” Breen said. “Let’s say it’s 5 p.m. and (the shift is) scheduled to be off at 6 p.m., but at 5 p.m. they go to a call that lasts past 6 p.m. We incur the cost of overtime. Firefighters have an opportunity for (overtime) four times a week as a shift overrun and when you’re doing over 4,000 calls a year that occurs often.”
Breen and town officials struck the deal with department staff as part of a two-year collective bargaining agreement with the Professional Firefighters of New Hampshire union. Though less overtime means less time-and-a-half pay, union president and firefighter Brian Murray said the scheduling change equals more quality time at home.
“It is a better schedule and quality of life is definitely an upside to it,” he said. “We expect somewhat of a decrease (in overtime pay), but that was something that wasn’t a secret. The guys thought about it and still went with it.”
Salem firefighters will work an average of 42 hours a week over an 8-week period, according to officials. The scheduling change also won’t prevent officials from recalling off-duty firefighters in an emergency, Breen said.
Making the switch to 24-hour shifts has been on the table for several years, he said. Salem is one of the few remaining area departments that haven’t made the change. If it doesn’t work out within 30-days, a sunset clause in the agreement will let officials revert to the current scheduling, Breen said.
Breen and Murray downplay concerns that a 24-hour shift could leave firefighters running ragged. The schedule gives commanders flexibility when it comes to assignments and guarantees firefighters more time to rest up between shifts, Murray said.
“I know 24 hours seems like a lot, but it’s going to be more of a rest for people than the current schedule,” he said. “I don’t sleep well during the day and even if I try it’s not going to be a good restful sleep, whereas with this schedule you work one night and have a full 24 hours off. You’re sleeping at home, you’re getting more rest that way and your coming back in a little more fresh.”
Union representatives also agreed to do away with salary increases for the next two years as part of the collective bargaining agreement. Given the economy, Murray said, it didn’t seem right to ask for raises this year.
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