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Currently on the 24/48 schedule, a firefighter is able to see their child(ren) for approximately 36 hours at a time (if picking up after getting off-shift, and returning to the child's other home at 7pm the night before their shift).
The 48/96 schedule increases the continuous time that a firefighter is able to spend with their families to 84 hours. This is a 58% increase in continuous quality time spent with their children.
In a report by West Metro Fire Protection District, thirty-seven families answered the question about amending visitation rights since the onset of the 48-96.
Only six of the 37 families (16.2%) said that they did have to amend their visitation rights, and all but one of these families said that the arrangements were as satisfactory, or in the case of one family, better than the ones they had previously.
In conclusion, very few families reported being adversely affected by the shift change with regard to changing to less satisfactory child care arrangements, elder care arrangements or visitation rights.
Chief Don Abbott, the author and publisher of the website/documents known as Project Mayday, he relates that the information presented in his reports are accurate, but partial. He also discusses that while the information that he receives is important to be discussed and understood, it is not the total picture, but merely a snapshot. Per Chief Abbott, "It is believed that this information represents only 8-10% of all the actual maydays taking place in the fire service each year."
There is no complete evidence that suggests maydays are more common on 48 hour shifts.
Roanoke Fire Department members spoke with firefighters from 11 fire departments that total 86 years of 48/96 schedule. Their mayday reports show:
(21)
The data that is available, complete, and accurate comes from the U.S. Fire Administration concerning Line of Duty Death of firefighters.
While the 48/96 schedule increases in popularity and trending upwards, the LODD statistics are trending downwards. Therefore, no direct correlation between a 48/96 schedule and LODD can be made.
It is very well understood that the firefighter’s schedule has a tremendous impact on the lives of their family. When a firefighter is at work for 48 hours straight, that undeniably puts a great deal of strain on their spouse who is running the household and taking care of kids. While this is certainly a very valid concern, it is believed that the benefits of the 48-96 schedule, such as being at home four days in a row, more weekends off, more mornings at home, etc., more than compensate for this burden. This can be proven by the increase in favor that the 48-96 schedule continues to receive on the second vote following the trial period and the results of the survey conducted by the Oakland Fire Department in 2010.
When surveyed, the Fresno Fire Department and Stockton Fire Department, who previously worked our current 24-48 schedule before switching to the 48-96 schedule, responded with the following information when asked how their significant other likes the 48-96 schedule:
81.8% Responded that their family/significant other “Likes” the 48/96 schedule
10% Responded their family/significant other is “Neutral” to the 48/96 schedule
8.2% Responded that their family/significant other “dislike” the 48/96 schedule
As discussed in the sections relating to Benefits to the City & Citizens of the City of Cedar Park, there will not be a decrease in the level of service that is provided by the Firefighters that the Cedar Park Fire Department employs. In fact, regarding the multiple studies referenced in this presentation and the resources of local fire departments showing an increase in morale in their firefighters, fights to say that a 48/96 schedule only increases the level of service to the City and citizens due to a happier and more well-rested Firefighter, overall.
Moving to the 48/96 schedule will have a positive impact on training. As more Williamson County cities and ESD's continue to move to a 48/96 schedule, county rescue and hazmat has adjusted their training schedules to be in accordance with a 48/96 schedule as well. Cedar Park would not differ, nor suffer, from this change.
Interruptions in station-based trainings are also common. A 48-hour tour also gives the companies the opportunity to finish trainings that may have been put on hold by calls or other obligations. 48/96 makes it possible to continue the unfinished training sessions, instead of the frequent saying on 24/48 schedule, "We will have to try and finish it next shift."
While the 48/96 schedule is increasing in implementation, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, firefighters injuries are trending downward as shown below:
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