Fire Service Staffing
Corpus Christi officials approved applying for a grant to help meet national staffing standards, but the required city match raises debate over potential tax increases or budget cuts
Tri-Township Fire & Rescue has fully staffed its Memphis fire station for the first time in decades, marking a major milestone in a long-term plan to improve response times
Not enough hours in the day? Try these tips to get you back on track
“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
The EMT has been placed on restricted duty after allegations he padded his overtime sheets to earn pay for unworked hours
The order comes shortly after the department head announced the cancellation of firefighters’ vacations until further notice
Two lieutenants were charged with stealing thousands of dollars in overtime pay for hours they didn’t work
The superintendent said the cancellation was necessary to protect the city in the wake of a voluntary overtime boycott
Unprecedented wildfires have taxed California firefighters and the state’s budget as overtime increased by over half in the last decade
“We don’t have an option of operating below a certain level ... we must fill the seat. Our overtime has exploded,” Scott Campbell, director of public safety, said
