We talk a lot about health in the fire service. Whether it’s mental health or general physical health it’s a major focus in today’s fire departments and that’s a good thing. But there’s one big piece I think we’re missing….more time to actually rest and recover. For real. That’s why I believe it’s time we start looking seriously at a 24/72 schedule.
I’ve been in the fire service in Clayton County for 11 years. I currently work the 24/48 shift like most firefighters. That’s 24 hours on, 48 hours off. It sounds okay until you live it. Some shifts are so exhausting that I need a full day just to recover. And once I finally feel normal again, it’s already time to go back to work. That leaves almost no time for family, hobbies, or just relaxing my body and mind.
We go through a lot on shift physically, emotionally, and mentally. The calls stay with us. The lack of sleep adds up. The heavy lifting wears us down. And year after year, we carry it all while still being expected to perform at 100%.
That’s why the 24/72 schedule matters. With 72 hours off after each shift, we’d have more time to sleep, heal, and just be human. More time to be a good parent, a good spouse, or simply to breathe. That’s not being soft. That’s being smart. Better rest equals better performance, lower injuries, longer careers, and hopefully longer life span after retirement.
Some departments that switched to 24/72 have already seen positive results fewer sick days, better morale, and improved physical and mental wellness. It’s not just about firefighters feeling better it’s about them being better on the job.
Now I get it before anyone comments “we barely have enough people now”…..the biggest challenge is staffing. You’d need to add a fourth shift, and that’s no easy task with today’s hiring struggles. But let’s be clear… that’s not a con of the schedule itself. That’s a hiring issue we already face, even on 24/48. It’s hard, but it’s doable. And the long term benefits are worth the effort. I commend departments who are already doing it or testing it.
While we’re on the topic of firefighter wellness and real change, let’s talk about retirement too. Why are we working 30 or 40 years in a job this demanding? The military allows retirement after 20 years. Why shouldn’t we? We run toward danger, carry heavy loads, and see things most people couldn’t imagine. Our retirement system should match the sacrifice. Twenty years should be enough if not less. I would even go with 25 years of service to match with our state pension retirement in Georgia.
We keep pushing mental health campaigns, which are great. But until we fix the schedule and retirement system, we’re not really solving the problem we’re just covering it up. Real rest and reasonable retirement timelines are what will keep firefighters healthy and strong for the long haul.
So let’s stop dancing around it. Let’s start talking about the 24/72 schedule and a 20 year retirement plan as standard. It’s time to put our people first.
