VIDEO: A major change for Kissimmee and its fire department aims to improve the lives of firefighters, but it comes with a cost. Twenty-four on and 48 hours off is the standard for fire departments, but in Kissimmee, the fire chief says they are ready to evolve. “So the 24/72 schedule is really going to become the gold standard going forward, I believe, in the next decade,” Chief Jim Walls said.
On Tuesday, Kissimmee City Commissioners approved a yearly property assessment to make it possible for the department to fund a switch from its current 54-hour workweek to a 42-hour one by changing their shifts to 24 hours on and 72 hours off. Property owners will have their homes assessed annually to cover the costs, paying $150 for each property and an additional 56 cents per $1,000 of improvements. According to the ordinance, the estimated Fire Service Assessed Cost that will be recovered through Fire Service Assessments for the fiscal year starting on Oct. 1 is $6,136,466.
Walls said the change will benefit their recruitment and retention efforts as well as the work-life balance for firefighters. “They’re running calls all night. So, you know, you’re really tired that next day when you’re getting off shift,” Walls explained. “So that first day off is really just trying to recover from the shift before. So then that next day off is your one true day off to enjoy time with family, friends.”
