Fire Service Staffing
The Milton Fire Department will implement a new 1-3; 2-3 shift schedule in October, offering firefighters more time off, improved work-life balance and reduced burnout
Gov. Maura Healey announced Fall River will get expedited funding to hire more firefighters following the Gabriel House fire that killed 10
Out of the 10 companies with the Fall River Fire Department, only two are staffed at the national standard of four firefighters, IAFF President Edward Kelly said
“We’re still having issues with the administration on calculations,” said Gary Firefighters Union 359 President Larry Tillman II
Lynn’s city council approved of the funds to help with staffing as some firefighters are being treated for injuries or work-related illnesses
The Portland City Council’s provision is part of a labor deal to increase pay for firefighters forced to work mandatory overtime due to short staffing
Decatur Fire & Rescue Lt. Michael Leonard is pushing back after being accused of mishandling a conflict with a crewmember over mandatory OT
Spokane FD overtime allowances were doubled in the budget, although the city hopes the new positions will reduce the need for unbudgeted OT
Hampton Fire and Rescue may face citations if the inquiry determines it violated occupational safety and health regulations
“We have firefighters that are working 96-hour shifts,” said Isaac McLennan of the Portland Firefighter’s Association
“For the third time, we told you we are out of service,” an EMT is heard saying on a recording of Baltimore City Fire Department radio traffic
The cost of overtime in 2021 broke a department record, and the city continues to grapple with understaffing on shifts
Gadsden Fire Department members said in the original complaint that the city violated overtime pay requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act
Glynn County needs at least 37 firefighters and EMS providers per shift, said Chief R.K. Jordan. “With 31 people per shift right now, that’s six overtime shifts a day”
“His hair was up, and it was legal,” said District Fire Chief Terrance Jones, a spokesman for the Brotherhood of Firefighters
Spokane’s fire union cites staffing shortages from retirements and departures, plus an uptick in sick leave from COVID-19 cases
In a near equal split, 52% of respondents say their department does not have residency restrictions, while 48% say their department does
The numbers underscore the toll the coronavirus is taking on staffing amid a battle over the city mandate that employees receive vaccinations
DFR is hoping to cut down on burnout, response times and overtime with single-role paramedics
The decision by Anchorage Fire Chief Doug Schrage drew criticism from the local fire union leaders who raised concerns about public safety
In the past year, Polk County first responders have been asked to pick up 4,495 mandatory OT shifts, totaling 89,434 hours
Union and Toledo city officials have been in contract talks since May, as the department struggles to meet minimum staffing requirements
The Fairfield Fire Department is considering transitioning to more full-time staff due to high turnover and excessive overtime for part-time staff
Officials chose to alter staffing for an ambulance that runs within city limits, where it can get to the hospital quicker
Overtime was temporarily suspended to combat economic loss related to the pandemic
The city was previously ordered to pay more than $90,000 in backpay to 15 firefighters
New Haven fire officials said the COVID-19 pandemic is to blame for the excessive overtime costs
Members of IAFF Local 2041 filed a lawsuit against the City of Chickasha for allegedly failing to pay firefighters the lawful rate for overtime hours
The firefighters’ lawsuit stemmed from a 2016 ruling that overtime calculations should factor in health coverage and other benefits
Gary Fire Chief Sean O’Donnell accused firefighters of abusing sick time, leading to hundreds of thousands of dollars in overtime to cover their missed shifts
An internal auditor found that overtime expenses doubled over the last five years and in some cases doubled employees’ salaries
The city received backlash after a fire engine was temporarily taken out of service and a 10% wage cut for all city employee was discussed
