r/Firefighting • u/thatdudewayoverthere • Apr 30 '25

General Discussion I hate the coming early culture in Firefighting

So because everyone said something about this o taught I might as well.

I hate the fact that it's standard that every shows up early.

To give you an example: At my Department we officially get paid from 6:45 to 7 so 24:15h but it's standard in my department that everyone shows up at around 6-6:15.

So we basically artificially moved our shift time one hour early 6-6 instead of 7-7. In the end everyone still works 24 hours no matter what time you actually start.

Big edit because people don't seem to get my point:

We all Still work 24 hours nobody is actually getting relieved earlier since everyone obviously expects to be relieved by 0615

But if you happen to catch a late call before you get relieved you don't get paid for that call.

For Example:

If I work from 6-6 I worked 24 hours if I get a late call at 5:45 and now worked till 7 I now worked 25 hours

But because my official shift time is 7-7 I only get paid 24 hours even though I worked 25

This problem wouldn't exist if not for the everyone coming in early

This is not supposed to be a discussion about when is a good time for shift change to beat traffic or have more from the day but instead of coming in early and working for free we should just put pressure on our departments to change the shift times to what we actually want

Please share your opinions on this but I personally think it's just annoying and it would be easier if every just shows up when they are paid to do so (plus of course 10-15 minutes to actually get ready)

144 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

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538

u/Loud-Principle-7922 Apr 30 '25

I show up early because if I’m about to have a garbage shift, an extra 30-45 minutes won’t really matter to me.

But to the guy in relieving, who’s been running all night, knowing that he’s going to be able to relax and drink coffee with his guys, it’s huge.

226

u/Decent-Composer-7065 Apr 30 '25

Nailed it. Caring about your coworkers who may have been running all night? What a concept.

77

u/TheSloppyJanitor Apr 30 '25

That’s the whole idea. I show up early because if I can relieve my buddies coming off shift it’s worth it, and I know they will do the same for me. And I also like my routine of getting there early when everything is still quiet so I can get my shit together, shave, shower if I need to, etc

19

u/503bourbonboy Career FF/EMT Apr 30 '25

We do the same. And if we take an early call from the offgoing shift we get OT for it and the shift going off still gets their full hours. So, we don’t get paid to show up early and sit around, but if we do work we get paid. I love showing up an hour early to just meander around and get myself ready to go slowly and quietly. I don’t show up earlier than that because nobody is awake any earlier

6

u/HazMattStunts May 01 '25

But many repeat the mantra:

If you’re not a 1/2 hour early you’re a 1/2 hour late.

1

u/I_Fap_2_Democracy CFA()volunteer()operational()1year()#hungouttodry() May 03 '25

At the end of the day you're looking out for yourself and mates more then you realise, being a firefighter is dangerous and traumatizing... I know plenty of people who took their own lives solely because they couldn't cope with the stress of each shift fearing for the worst call

1

u/FRE8OCK May 01 '25

That and not to mention I don’t know like checking your shit off lol

5

u/HairyPutter7 May 01 '25

So what would happen if you worked your official shift and catch a call at 6:30? Would you then get OT then for that extra hour?

4

u/Loud-Principle-7922 May 01 '25

Yeah, station captain adjusts our clock in times to match dispatch time.

15

u/Chlamydiacuntbucket Apr 30 '25

Couldn’t agree more. I know when I wake up at 6:30 my relief has there shit on the truck and are checking med bags. That solace is easily worth arriving at 6:15

1

u/TheOtherAkGuy May 03 '25

In my department, it’s the newer younger crowd that decide to show up right before clock in time. The older and experience members know how much it sucks to get a late call after working 24 hours. It’s a huge sign of respect to show up and take an early call. I hate to be that guy but I blame this on generational differences.

5

u/Chlamydiacuntbucket May 03 '25

Think its just who raised you and what do you value? Have the younger guys been sat down and told why coming early is important, and a sign of respect?

I know 19 year olds that come early and on time, and I know 38 yr old engineers that show up at 6:55

1

u/TheOtherAkGuy May 03 '25

It’s a difficult conversation to have. They have been made aware about why we come in early. But you cannot tell them that’s what they have to do because there is no rule saying it’s necessary. They just don’t care but would also be the first ones to go home as soon as someone shows up or get annoyed when they get a late call.

10

u/MisterEmergency May 01 '25

Same here. Show up early so the guys don't get bone toned at 630 for a 2+hour med transport call because their relief doesn't show up until 0655.

12

u/crazymonkey752 May 01 '25

What if they get a call at 625?

It’s all performative and all you are doing is making sure no one gets over time when they are held over.

8

u/FeelingBlue69 May 01 '25

Exactly. This is why I don't agree with this early relief bullshit. You catch a call right before shift change then oh well, that sucks but thats the job.

2

u/TheOtherAkGuy May 03 '25

Just speaking from things I’ve noticed, I think people are much happier to get off work on time instead of catching 1-2 hours of OT for picking up a late call after working 24 hours.

1

u/MisterEmergency May 01 '25

Not entirely. I tend to ask if you want me to take it first. I can always use that 30 minutes to get my mind right, have a cup of coffee, visit with others, unload bedding/clothing from the car, watch the news.

5

u/HairyPutter7 May 01 '25

This^ I never mind showing up early cause it just helps me get my mind right, and give the guys I’m relieving to destress/decompress if needed. I’ll tell you one thing that I find ironically funny. When the chronic buzzer beaters always leave as soon as their relief shows up. I get it shift doesn’t start until X no biggie if you show up right then, but you sure don’t mind leaving early.

4

u/Govt_BlackBerry May 01 '25

We did this back when I worked in EMS. Better I take an early job than the off-going tour get hit with a late job. It works as long as that’s the ethos of the organization.

3

u/Safety-Patrol May 01 '25

It's like you didn't even read the post

3

u/crudestmass May 01 '25

Or maybe beat traffic to get home in time to see their kids off to school.

2

u/DIY-exerciseGuy May 02 '25

If you're all coming in early to be a try to be a hero to your bro, you're not really accomishing anything, as you're all losing time at the beginning of your shift. Means nothing.

-2

u/Loud-Principle-7922 May 02 '25

That’s not what my guys tell me, but you do you, boo. I don’t lose anything. You’ll get it one day.

2

u/DIY-exerciseGuy May 02 '25

Not my problem if they're not able to understand

-1

u/Loud-Principle-7922 May 02 '25

Sure, bud. That’s why it’s getting upvoted. But youve got it all figured out.

3

u/DIY-exerciseGuy May 02 '25

Upvotes and downvotes are a joke. It's pathetic you'd think otherwise.

-1

u/Loud-Principle-7922 May 02 '25

Cool story, man. Glad to hear it.

0

u/DIY-exerciseGuy May 02 '25

Cool story bro. Tell it again.

-6

u/thatdudewayoverthere Apr 30 '25

I'm not saying anything against singular guys coming in early because they can but in my department it standards that you are there any hour before your work starts ready to work and because every one does this it doesn't change how you feel if you get relieved since you expect the other guys to be there "early"

25

u/Flaky-Manager4850 Apr 30 '25

Sounds like your department has a great culture of taking care of each other! You’re lucky, one day (you might already) have kids and a wife you want to go home to after getting beat down all night! Instead of running another call at 630am and not getting home until 8/9am. I love showing up early for my brothers, This is what being apart of the brotherhood is all about.

3

u/FeelingBlue69 May 01 '25

Your family life is not my problem. You should pick a different job if you want more family time.

1

u/thatdudewayoverthere Apr 30 '25

I absolutely get that

But you don't get my point In my department we basically have artificially moved our shift times an hour earlier so we expect to he relieved between 6-6:15 and plan our personal life's around that

The same way we would if everyone showed up between 6:45-7

A call 15 Minutes before shift change is always annoying but just because we moved the shift times doesn't mean that early calls are no longer happening it makes no difference if the call comes in at 5:45 and you get relieved at 6 or if the call comes at 6:30 and you get relieved at 6:45

2

u/Academic_Sign8732 May 02 '25

I get it. And an hour early is excessive. On the flip side, I hate going in super early because I have to get the kids prepped for school. Some of our crew shows up 30+ minutes ahead, but family stuff pushed me to 15 minutes ahead of shift. That’s all I can give most times, but I’m more flexible to stay for late calls.

8

u/Flaky-Manager4850 Apr 30 '25

I think you have to change your outlook on it. I’m absolutely hearing you and the point you are trying to make, but even though you guys ( as a company ) have artificially moved your shift schedule around doesn’t make a difference to the department. Your mayor could give a damn if y’all are there at 0659 or 0600 everyday. If the standard of showing up at 6am isn’t upheld you will be running the 530 calls and the 630 calls and that screws you over when getting off and your brothers when you’re coming on. But hey if you complain enough they will move the start time back to 6am so you will be getting there at 5am instead 🤷‍♂️ You got it good man just enjoy it. Take care of the job and the job will take care of you.

0

u/kavonruden May 01 '25

Hell yeah, love this ethic.