I hate the coming early culture in Firefighting

[u/thatdudewayoverthere]

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)

[u/mr3inches]

Just out of curiosity, do you have kids at home? Or is it just you? I’m looking at making the switch from wildland to structure and a big part of that is because my wife and I want kids soon. In wildland the standard is 10 minutes early because everyone starts at the same time - how do you work it out with the wife and kids to come in so early? Thanks for the input!

[u/NickGodfree → u/mr3inches]

No kids here, but plenty of guys do. Just need to find a routine, i guess. And some people don't come in as early as I do. Rverybody's situation is its own thing. There's a difference between "I need to get my kids to school" and "I just don't want to make early relief."

[u/Highspeed_gardener → u/mr3inches]

2 kids here & former hotshot. My last season was the one just after I met my wife. That schedule wouldn’t work for us. As far as getting in early for 24’s, it’s a benefit with the kids. She doesn’t really need help at 6am. When I get relieved early I can get home in time to help get them out the door. Our official start is 0800, but we are usually 45min-1 hour early. The thing I haven’t seen mentioned, so far, is OT. If I am waiting on an overtime dude to relieve me, & he didn’t get relieved early, then I’m not getting relieved until 8:15-8:30. I would make an hour of OT for that, but many times I would rather see my kiddos before they head to school than make the extra couple of bucks. On a side note, if you are wondering how to make getting in early work with your wife, you have much bigger conversations to have with her regarding 24’s. Honestly, the start time hardly registers, as far as inconvenience to a family, when the topic is 24 hour shifts.

[u/mr3inches → u/Highspeed_gardener]

Appreciate the reply. I’m still wrapping my head around a 24/48 shift in general so I am just trying to get some more perspective on the work life balance. From what I’ve heard most families prefer the structure schedule just because I’d be home so much more even if I was gone for 24.

Wife is onboard with 24s, really anything to be get me away from the hotshot OT lol. Also I don’t even have kids yet so it’s hard for me to understand the morning dynamic anyways. This is all super good info though and i appreciate it! Also love the username haha

[u/Highspeed_gardener → u/mr3inches]

I will add, if you can find a department that runs a schedule other than the 24/48 you should consider that. IMHO, the 24/48 is the worst 24 hour option out there. Can’t ever get away for more than an overnight without burning leave. Something with a 4 day is way better & a 4th shift is even better than that. Our department is planning on transitioning to a 4 shift schedule & I’m really looking forward to it.

[u/mr3inches → u/Highspeed_gardener]

Yeah most of the places I applied are 48/96. There are a few in Washington that are 4 platoon and that’s the dream but the competition is so fierce so I know that isn’t super likely to happen, but I have no plans on giving up.

[u/Highspeed_gardener → u/mr3inches]

It’s going to be a PITA while we transition, with extra debit days and what not mixed in, but it should be worth it in the end. We have to hire 86 to get it fully staffed. We are still waiting on city council to see how many year that will take. TLDR: if you would consider NC, PM me. We are hiring an additional 86 spots, over normal turnover, over the next 5ish years.