VIDEO: Fire departments in the Upstate are implementing a new schedule known as the โPortland Scheduleโ to improve firefighter retention and morale.
The new schedule involves firefighters working a 24-hour shift followed by three days off, and then a 48-hour shift with another three days off.
The change is being trialed by the fire departments in the City of Greenwood, North Spartanburg and North Greenville.
Typically, firefighters work a 24-48 schedule, which is a 24-hour shift followed by a two-day weekend. The new schedule aims to provide more rest and recovery time for firefighters.
โI think that the 24-48 has served its time,โ said Jonathan Martin, a firefighter with the City of Greenwood Fire Department.
Nick Fortner, Chief of the South Spartanburg Fire Department, explain that the change is about allowing more time for rest and recovery.
โSwitching to schedules that allow for more time off increases rest and recovery time for firefighters,โ he said. โIt also gives them up to 11 weekends where they can have three-day weekends off for the family.โ
