Monday, December 03, 2007

The Problem...

...with a blog, my friends, is that one must actually update it once in awhile to remain current. Clearly, I stumbled through October and skipped November entirely. That's not to say that public safety took a break during the same time.

I'll be back with some fresh stuff again this week, aiming for a strong 2007 finish.

Let me just say this: I heard from a birdie that the LAFD union membership is strongly considering a schedule change from the current 3-4 Kelly shift to a 48-96 (two days on, four days off). Here's the union puffery on the issue. Generally, I'm unilaterally against this kind of schedule, but I haven't totally read through the issue.

Once I do, I'll elaborate on it when I've got more time.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

FF prefer the 48/96 for obvious reasons (i.e.: save on travel time from living distance from station). As a taxpayer, I do not like this schedule. The top 35 stations in the city had 15+ runs a day in 2006 (excluding paramedic calls, move-ups or assignments not in their area). Can you spell f-a-t-i-g-u-e? I don't want a FF tending to my needs while approaching the end of his shift.

I'd like to see comparable scientific studies from departments similar in size to LAFD (i.e. Chicago, Philly, NY, San Francisco) that the 48/96 shift does not produce any more fatigue as the current schedule.

Anonymous said...

The proposal at LA City FD is for a trial. I can't say theres any better way to answer the question than for them to give it a try.

Anonymous said...

Let's see the results from other departments first. *I* am not willing to put my family at risk and become beta testers because the LAFD wants to please the rank and file.