There’s a bipartisan push in Congress to change the work schedules for Federal Firefighters.
Local Representatives Elaine Luria, Robert Wittman, Donald McEachin, and Bobby Scott signed a letter led by Representative Mary Gay Scanlon in support of federal firehouses adopting an alternative work schedule.
13News Now first brought this investigation last year after local Navy Civilian Firefighters pled for help. They were in the middle of a severe staffing shortage that left them overworked and burnt out.
Tim Welsh, President of the Tidewater Federal Firefighters Union, said since the 13News Now investigation, staffing conditions have improved. He said he hopes it stays that way.
“If we don’t look back on how we lost all those people to begin with, then we’re going to be in the same boat in a year, two years,” said Welsh.