how firefighters schedule works

[justalee]

Hey im justin adams. Im 16 and thinking about becoming a firefighter. I heard that i would probably work 2 24 hour shifts but it averages 56 hours a week. And that the days i'd work rotates. Can someone explain how that all works? Like specifically on the rotation thing, i dont have a problem with working different days every week, but as a figherfighter is it possible to work it out so that you wont get scheduled on certain days? (like i can work any day except for thursday and sunday)

[BoxAlarm187]

Different departments work different schedules, but the 24/48 schedule is popular (work one day, off two, repeat). Another schedule is W-O-W-O-W-O-O-O-O.

And no, you can't set your schedule to only work particular days of the week, unless you plan on doing A LOT of shift trades and/or using a lot of annual leave.

[fire49]

suggest go visit the nearest paid fire station and set down and ask questions and listen alot

here is a 24 on 48 off calendar

http://thefirehouse.us/?Shift_Calendar_2009:Wreck_10%2F03%2F07:A_Shift

http://www.cfpd.org/documents/shift_Calendar2010.pdf

you only work about ten days a month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[justalee]

ok that makes sense that you cant generally do that. But what about the people that have other jobs outside of being a firefighter? How could you stay regular at your second job if your schedule is different every week?

[sweetpete]

ok that makes sense that you cant generally do that. But what about the people that have other jobs outside of being a firefighter? How could you stay regular at your second job if your schedule is different every week?

The other jobs have to take a back seat to the department. This becomes your main (if not only job) because it's the most important.

Any other job that the guys have usually have to fall on their off days. A FD job is the best job in the world. So, nobody wants to risk losing it over some side job, typically.

Take care,
Pete

[dfwfirefighter]

you only work about ten days a month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phrases like that are not entirely accurate and causes everyone (especially bean counters and politicians) to keep a watchful eye on what we do and how "productive" (interpreted as "what do they do all day when they aren't answering runs?") we are.

A more accurate answer is as follows (if you work 24/48 beginning/ending at 0700):

"We work 17 hours one day, seven (7) hours the next, followed by a day off. The cycle then repeats itself."

[justalee]

@sweetpete- ya if i were to become i firefighter that would definetly be my main job, just wondering how some people handle a second job doing that. Really i dont plan on having 2 jobs at all. but seems like it wouldnt be able to get a job if you had to tell them "ya i want a job here, but im going to have to change what days i work every week."lol

[BoxAlarm187]

ok that makes sense that you cant generally do that. But what about the people that have other jobs outside of being a firefighter? How could you stay regular at your second job if your schedule is different every week?

Your priority is your full-time, fire department job - not your part-time job!

The guys on my shift have the following PT jobs:

• Private transport ambulance service
• Private 911 ambulance service
• Professional photographer
• Lawn & Home maintenance
• Fire service photographer & author

Obviously, these jobs all allow flexibility in their scheduling. Nevertheless, the PT job schedule should never force you to compromise on your FT job.

[fire49]

Ok

They work about ten 24 hour shifts a month

[dfwfirefighter]

Ok

They work about ten 24 hour shifts a month

56 hours a week sounds even better. The "10 days a month" thing does nothing but sugar coat it.

Just my 0.02 and that ain't worth much.

[BSFD140]

We work 24 on 48 off so every third day we are on shift starting at 07:45 and getting off at 08:00 the next day.

I have my own IT company as my second job, so my second job is easy on the scheduling. Many of the guys I work with have PT jobs in system like EMS where they work 24/48 as well or some other line of work where their bosses work with their schedule.

[dfwfirefighter]

Your priority is your full-time, fire department job - not your part-time job!

Well-stated.

Sadly, too many folks treat their fire department job like an entitlement and get mad when they have to do fire department stuff like training and answering runs while on duty when they are trying to rest up for their two days of work at their "side" job.

The most successful, happy firefighters with part-time jobs are the ones who are self-employed and set their own schedules.