As the world appears to continue to lose some of it’s mind, we see that our own "Nation’s Capital" is looking at reducing their ability to protect the citizens, visitors and their Firefighters…but what’s the real motivation behind doing this? Time will tell.
But in the meantime, read the below…and as you know, this is not the only FD seriously looking at changing shifts, cutting jobs, reducing staffing and "saving" money….and as long as the FD isn’t needed, all will be fine.
Uh. Err. Umm.
Welcome to Fantasy Island. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x_QbVDlLbI
Penny wise? Pound foolish? Things that make you go hmmmm.
DC FEMS Chief Ellerbe wants to change the 24-hour shift system to 12-hour shifts he says will eliminate overtime and reduce the number of Firefighters who live hours away in Delaware, New Jersey, North Carolina and South Carolina. He is also looking at cutting 400 positions within the department with his goal being to reduce the Firefighters from 2,200 to 1,600 total. He is gearing up for a fight against the Firefighters union, which wants to hold on to the current system. The Firefighters contract has been expired since 2007, and negotiations on a replacement are beginning soon, Ellerbe said at the monthly breakfast attended by Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) and the D.C. Council.
Through attrition that will likely take 3-4 years, the department would save $36 million annually under the 12-hour shift system, Ellerbe said. Currently, DCFD Firefighters work a 24/72 schedule. Under FEMS Chief Ellerbe’s proposal, they would work two 12-hour day shifts on consecutive days, then two 12-hour night shifts, then a day off before restarting the cycle.
Ellerbe wants to go to a “3-3-3” system: three 12-hour days on and three days off. He said the system will increase the number of days worked from eight to 22 and add 60 to 80 firefighters per shift, eliminating the need for overtime. He also said it will allow the department to more quickly recall personnel during an emergency and will reduce the chances of accidents on the job. “During the second half of a 24-hour shift, mistakes can happen,” he said.
Finding time for training is also a dilemma, Ellerbe said. He also said there are "public safety" concerns, including tired firefighters likely to make mistakes in the second halves of their shifts and firefighters living hours away who are unable to mobilize for a major disaster. Ellerbe said 25 percent of firefighters live in the city while 41 percent live 30 to 100 miles away.
SUPPORT FROM DC CITY COUNCIL: Council member David Catania (I-At Large) hinted at support for the shorter shifts, saying “We ought not to be paying people to sleep.” Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) said the department worked on 12-hour shifts between 1965 and 1987 and “service was excellent.” Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) wondered whether 12-hour shifts were still too long, asking whether eight-hour shifts might be better. Ellerbe expects resistance from the firefighters’ union.
“They’re going to be probably angry,” he said. “All they know is the 24-hour shift. This does represent a dramatic change. … But the truth is, most Americans don’t work a 24-hour shift.” WTF!?
GET MORE DETAILS & FOLLOWUP THIS UP WITH DAVE STATTER HERE: http://tinyurl.com/7ygv76c
