The Plano Firefighters Association is pushing for a test of a 48/96 schedule, where firefighters would work two consecutive 24-hour shifts before having four days off, WFAA reports. Currently, they follow a 24/48 schedule.
Firefighters argue that the 48/96 schedule allows for more consecutive days of restorative sleep, which is critical given the demanding nature of the job.
City management is considering the idea. However, city officials worry that because of the increase in call volumes, firefighters working a 48-hour shift will be sleep-deprived on the job.
In 2014, the city received 23,000 calls, a number that has increased to 33,000 in 2024.
The association is proposing a one-year pilot program that would track workplace accidents, injuries, and customer complaints to assess the impact of the shift change. Several other Collin County fire departments have already implemented the 48/96 schedule.
