In the 48-72, 7-Group System

48-72 Issues

In the 48-72, 7-group system: 3 groups have every other weekend off. The trade off is that they WORK A FULL WEEKEND (Saturday and Sunday) EVERY other weekend 2 groups NEVER have a full weekend off, they work either Saturday or Sunday EVERY weekend. The other 2 groups are off 1 full weekend and work 1 day the next. 1 group never works a Saturday and the other never works a Sunday. How do we fairly decide who gets to be in these groups? Bear in mind that Captains, Lieutenants, Paramedics, and even EMTs must be spread out evenly. Cannot have too many of any of them working or off on the same day. Service Comp Date will only work for a few.

Each person’s individual situation will determine whether this is a benefit that is worth the trade offs or not. You still work 6 days, which is 144 hours a pay period.

You get 2-3 day breaks and 1-2 day break each pay period.

This system does not give EVERYONE more quality time with his or her family. This is an individual determination that depends on which group you are assigned to and YOUR own family situation. NO ONE SHOULD BE TELLING ANYONE ELSE HOW IT WILL AFFECT OUR HOME LIVES. THEY JUST DON’T KNOW!

Looking at the schedules we have put together it seems that under 48-72 there are more people competing for less available leave slots then under the old system. This is especially a problem with our constant under staffing issues. We will either have less leave slots available or have to work more overtime.

Under the 48-72 7-group schedule every other day there is only 1 group available for mandatory overtime (People going off duty.) the other days there are only 2 groups. With our current staffing at some of the smaller stations, every other day there will usually be only 2 people available for mandatory OT. The larger stations will have it a little better as there will be more people in each group, but still half of the days each pay period only 1 group is available for mandatory OT and the other days only 2.

The group you are in has the same schedule each pay period. There are NO rotating days off, and NO 5-day breaks. This does not change each month or year or even on a leap year.

Each year 1 or 2 groups will get stuck working both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day or New Years Eve and News Years Day. Show us on the schedule how we are going to relieve them. According to President Gibaud there will be no relief.

A & B Shift will cease to exist. Under the Group System, you will work with different people every day you work each pay period. You will be working with different Asst. Chiefs, Battalion Chiefs, Captains, Lieutenants, and Firefighters each day.

Company Officers will no longer have a “company”. It changes every day.

Even if you are assigned to a specific apparatus, you will not spend much time on it. Crash and structural will do lots more ride-offs to cover positions. This goes for Captains and Lieutenants also.

You will not be sleeping in the same rack very often. Each shift a few people will have to find a different rack. Another trade off.

The dinner clubs that many participate in will be much harder to manage.

You still have to do Roll Call, Apparatus Checks and SCBA Check-Off EVERY MORNING as well as station clean-up.

This issue is not like deciding what hat we want to wear with our uniform or if we want a turkey or a ham for Christmas. This change will drastically affect every single member’s home and professional life. IT SHOULD NOT BE ENTERED INTO LIGHTLY!!! WE NEED FACTS NOT JUST OPINIONS!!!