Editor’s note: How does your agency measure up when it comes to wellness? Lexipol’s Wellness solutions help agencies deliver anonymous, 24/7 support, enhance peer support team readiness, and build a culture of wellness. Contact Lexipol at 844-312-9500 to learn more or request a demo.
West Metro Fire Rescue will move its 48/96 shift change from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. after a months-long Yale study showed early start times robbed crews of needed rest. In this Wellness Brief, Emily Hitchings and Greg Friese break down why that two-hour cushion could translate directly to safer, sharper fireground performance.
Hitchings noted the decision came after tracking firefighters’ sleep patterns on- and off-duty.
“It makes a lot of sense if you think about it,” Hitchings said. “They did a multi-month study and found it was worth moving it back to have a couple of extra hours in the rack.”
Beyond schedule changes, the hosts urged departments to give members practical sleep tools. Hitchings highlighted new audio-only “sleep stories” in the Lexipol Wellness App as one way to quiet racing minds before bed.
West Metro will monitor sleep once the new schedule launches to measure any improvements in rest, performance and long-term health. Other departments watching the data may find a low-cost path to higher alertness and fewer mistakes starts with a later alarm shift change.
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“I love that this agency actually took a look at what would be best for their employees’ well-being and changed the schedule to that. What a concept!”
About The Brief: Wellness Edition
The Brief: Wellness Edition video series explores the wellness implications of current events for public safety professionals. Each episode brings a timely conversation that connects unfolding events to the day-to-day realities of first responders.
