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/Safety-Patrol]

From the original post:

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

[u/rtubbs → u/Safety-Patrol]

Except that IS part of the discussion whether he/she wants it or not. If we are all on the same page, then we are not working for free. We are making the schedule work for each other, sometimes on a case by case basis. Although rules differ from department to department, by me you are not working more than anyone else (or less, if you are trying to get overtime)

Thanks for the copy and paste though I appreciate the reminder.

[u/Safety-Patrol → u/rtubbs]

Sorry for the copy/paste, I just wasn't entirely sure you knew how to read.

If you all agree that a different shift start time is better, why not get it in the contract? Then you'll get overtime more efficiently for late calls, and you won't have to deal with the late call uncertainty brought on by "minutemen". Otherwise, just come in when you're supposed to come in.

sometimes on a case by case basis

THIS I agree on. If you absolutely have to avoid a late call on a specific day and wanna make a one-day deal with another guy to come in early, that's great. Help each other out on a case by case basis. Makes sense to me. But it's a different discussion.