24 hr. pro's & con's

[als799]

Our union body is considering switching from the 2 days, 2 nights, 4 off schedule to the 24 hour on, 24 off, 24 on,5 day off schedule. I would appreciate any and all comments about this either pro or con. But I would reqlike to know your staffing level and approximate overtime amounts if you can.
Thanks in advance from PFD

[gunnyv]

24s are the best! You get to know your people better, side jobs are easier to schedule, and the 4-5 days off is like a mini vacation. My hometown dept just went full time and went with 10/14s, with a 56 hr week. They are the first ones to use that schedule out here, waiting to see how long before they switch to 24s. Of course, 10/14s wouldn't be so bad on a 40 hr week-we work the 56.

[oldE6man]

2-2-4 isn't bad, but 24 hour shift is great! Why isn't your local considering a straight 24-72 shift? The transition from 2-2-4 to 24-72 is seamless. You can switch at the end of a cycle without any disruption.

Either 2-2-4 or 24 hours beats the hell out of the 5-2-5 (all day work) that some of us work!!!

[Da Sharkie]

I work the 1, 1, 1 and 5 Off shift. It beats the 24 / 72's that I used to work. The 5 days off is like a vacation every week and a weeks vacation gives you 13 days off, 2 weeks gives you 21 days, 3 weeks gives you 29 etc,...... I just plan not to do anything the middle day off in case we were busy so I can relax or use it to do all my weekly erands and not have to worry about them later. I know you bosy in Providence can be pretty busy, so you try both 24 hour shift set ups. I have also heard of a couple of towns working 24 on, 48 off, 24 on and 4 off. may be something to look into.

Take care.

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I didn't do it, nobody saw me do it. You can't prove anything.

[paets]

We work the shift you're talking about in the Houston FD (TX). The only difference is that about once a month(maybe a little less) we work a "payback" day that requires us to work 24 hours on another shift. This brings our average work week to 46.7 hours.

Other than the payback day, we absolutely love the schedule. Having 5 days off is almost like having a week's vacation. The only downside might be explaining to your neighbors that you really do hold a job and are not some kind of organized crime figure.

[E_man9RFD]

In Richmond, we work 24/48. I like it pretty well. Everyday you go in its Friday. We wind up with 20 to 40 hrs of over time.


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AAD
Eng. Co. 9
RFD

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