VIDEO: A new shift schedule called the ‘1323′ made its way into Lowcountry fire departments to improve work-life balance. Firefighters face demanding jobs with long hours on the clock. Each firefighter in the Charleston Fire Department works 24-hour shifts for 56 hours a week. The department formerly used a 24/48 schedule, which means crews got 48 hours off after a 24-hour shift. Fire officials say the issue behind the old schedule is the lack of rest between each 24-hour shift. The department is piloting a new ‘1323′ shift schedule, which began on May 10. The schedule means firefighters work one day on shift, three days off, two days on and three days off. Deputy Chief Forest Cockcroft with the Charleston Fire Department says the change is an effort to boost recovery and health for first responders.
