Presentation to Fire Chief Garry Morden and Deputy Chief John McDougall

January 2, 2006

The Executive Committee for MFFA Local 1212 presents the 24 hour shift schedule for negotiations following extensive study on the benefits of the shift to firefighters, fire departments, and the environment.

Our presentation today will highlight:•our mandate to negotiate•24 hour shift schedule background•positive effects of this work cycle

•to the health of the firefighter•to efficiencies & savings to the department

•maintenance of•departmental programs, training activities, & other department operations•vacation selection & attendance management

Obtaining Our Mandate

• After continued interest by our members and following the positive direction of many other fire departments towards the 24 hour shift schedule we began an investigation into it.

• November 2004 a committee was struck that would begin to investigate all aspects of the 24 hour shift schedule.

Obtaining Our Mandate

• The committee’s initial goal was• to obtain shift schedule information, • collect related medical and professional info,• collect feedback from firefighters working this and• to open communications with all shift members.

• The Union Executive established a timeline and while working with the committee, a plan to proceed & present information to our membership.

Obtaining Our Mandate

• Information gathered by the committee was presented to members via

• Printed hard copies to all fire stations• The posting of all information on our web site• Continued discussion at all regular association meetings• 2 open meetings to present and discuss the subject.

• A vote of suppression staff was taken, permitting preparation of a bargaining presentation to bring back before the membership.

Obtaining Our Mandate

• The negotiations package was prepared and distributed by

• Printed hard copies to all fire stations• The posting of all information on our web site• Discussion at regularly scheduled association

meetings.

• A vote of suppression staff was taken and a mandate of 71% was received to include the package for 2006 negotiations.

24 Hour Shift Background

• The 24 Hour Shift method of working is utilized by about 190,000 of the more than 250,000 professional full time Firefighters, EMTs and Paramedics in the IAFF in North America.

• In some American jurisdictions, there is no mandatory requirement for Union membership; therefore the number working this shift is higher, but is not known how much higher by the IAFF.

• The shift is scheduled on work weeks that average from as few as 40 hours to as many as 72 hours. These work weeks are averaged over 4 weeks, 8 weeks or 12 weeks, commonly and have as many as 10 groups or platoons configured to make the schedule work.

• In our presentation to MFFA Members, we only considered the 4 platoon, 42 hour week we currently work.

• The largest Department on this system is Toronto, Ontario (3000 members), followed by Washington DC (1100 members).

24 Hour Shift Background

Who is Working The 24 Hour Shift Schedule?

• In Ontario: Toronto, Windsor, London, and Woodstock.

• Halifax, Nova Scotia, Fredericton N.B.• Northeastern US/Canada is the last region to

adopt the 24.• Larger departments (FDNY) allow 24 hour duty

exchanges.• Phoenix Fire permits 48 hour duty exchanges.

Positive Effects Of This Work Cycle

• The work cycle of 24 hour shifts followed by sufficient rest has proven benefits to the worker, and employer.

• The following outline these, and their advantages

Physiological Effects Of Working 10/14 Vs. 24 Hour Shift Schedule

• The choice of shift work schedule influences the overall health of firefighters, their safety on the fireground and their well being off the job.

• Numerous studies have been conducted regarding firefighting and shift work comparing the 10/14 and 24 hour shift schedules.

Physiological Effects Of Working 10/14 Vs. 24 Hour Shift Schedule

• The most preeminent researcher Dr. Linda Glazner, concludes that working a 24 hour shift schedule would greatly improve the health and safety of firefighters.

De-synchronization Of The Circadian Rhythm

• Circadian rhythm - the internal body clock that regulates the 24 hour cycle of biological processes in living beings. In basic terms, the "sleep/wake" cycle that occurs driving sleep at night and waking activities during the day.

• Scientific evidence concludes that firefighters working a rotating schedule (10/14) exhibit a higher level of de-synchronization of the body's natural circadian rhythm than firefighters working a 24 hour shift schedule.

• After busy night shifts, the firefighter attempting to catch up on sleep during the day will at best, only "catnap“, as he/she tries to keep the circadian rhythm in synch. They will not fully replenish their body's energy reserves before the next work cycle.

De-synchronization Of The Circadian Rhythm

• Working a 24 hour shift schedule can lead to:– better overall health for firefighters– an increased level of fireground safety as

firefighters would be better rested– firefighters always reporting for work after a

complete nights sleep.

De-synchronization Of The Circadian Rhythm

• Firefighters are not reporting for night shifts already fatigued from daytime activities or from previous night shift.

• No matter how busy a 24 hour shift is, the next night the firefighter is not into a night work cycle and will replenish the body's energy reserves, as the circadian rhythm demands.

De-synchronization Of The Circadian Rhythm

Fatigue & Sleep Deprivation

• Firefighter fatigue is a consequence of shift work, in particular, rotating shift work.

• Fatigue is linked to the disruption of the circadian rhythm increasing levels of sleep deprivation. Successive night shifts increase the effect described above, creating, "cumulative fatigue."

Fatigue & Sleep Deprivation

• A disadvantage of the 10/14 shift schedule is the cumulative fatigue created by the consecutive night shifts (4 nights & 3 days/3 nights).

• Recuperation time is made possible by the 24 hour shift schedule with it’s reduction of the disruption of the sleep/wake cycle.

• Regardless of how busy the 24 hour shift period is, no two consecutive nights are worked, allowing firefighters to catch up on their sleep the next night in their own beds.

Immune System

• Studies recognize that rotating shift work and its effects are linked to a decrease in the effectiveness of the immune system.

• The cumulative fatigue created by successive night shifts, disruptions in the “sleep/wake”cycle, disruption of the circadian rhythm make the body less able to resist disease and infection.

• The 24 hour shift schedule reduces these negative effects.

Scheduling

• The following slides will show the work cycles of the 10/14 shift vs. the 24 hour shift schedule proposed.

• We will offer suggestions on how current programs will operate largely unchanged under this new shift.

Current 10/14 Shift Schedule

NNN

NNNN

3

DDD3&

4Nights

DDDD4Days

SundaySaturdayFridayThursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondayWeek

ByComparison

Proposed 24 Hour Shift Schedule

243

24243&

24244Nights

24244Days

SundaySaturdayFridayThursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondayWeek

ByComparison

Routine Operations

10 - 14 Hour Shift 24 Hour Shift

HSH done in the evening SameInspections (summer) SameTactical Surveys SameStation Preplan tours SameRadio Checks at 0800/1800 0800 onlyInventory Check/Vehicle Check In 0800 onlyStaffing Deployment 0800 only

Training

10 - 14 Hour Shift 24 Hour Shift

In Service TrainingMost programs done by shift Will ContinueInstructors

Day Programs with Training Officers

Restricted Hours of Training Can continue for longer/later in the day as (i.e. Summer Evs) shift change time is no longer an issue prior

to 1800

Day Specialty Training (Officer Training)

Negotiated with Association to Same situation. Toronto system of usingre- Schedule the hours of work to 24 hr shifts to make up 12 hours of day isAccommodate training an option. Also, 2 x 24 hour shifts to

4 x 10 hour days plus 1 x 8 hour (Friday)

Training (Courses)

10/14 Hour Shift• Only two shifts are

available for training courses each calendar week.

• Does not allow for mid-course study time during multi-day training courses.

24 Hour Shift• Every shift is available for

training courses each calendar week.

• Allows for mid-course study time during multi-day training courses.

Measurable Savings

• A cost savings:• of half the mileage paid to suppression

members during staff deployment, with the elimination of the need to re-deploy staff at 1800. Working the 24 hour shift schedule, it would only be necessary at 0800.

• overtime costs during evening shift change are eliminated. An estimated 50% + savings.

Measurable Savings

• The time and work saved due to the elimination of an afternoon shift change:• would allow for training sessions to go beyond

4 pm (can accommodate extreme heat days better).

• would free up more time for the DC’s to visit all their stations in one day (following Monday mornings meetings current information can be relayed that day).

Measurable Savings

• The time and work saved due to the elimination of an afternoon shift change:• would eliminate the need for DC/PC’s to re-

deploy night shift staff.• While not a dollar savings, there would be a

significant savings in time for the Communication Center staff to only have to report sickness, bereavement, WSIB to the DC once a day, instead of twice.

Environmental Advantages

• The resulting 50% reduction in transportation related emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants helps:– the City of Mississauga strive to meet Kyoto

Protocol standards and – most members meet the “One Tonne

Challenge” set forth by the Federal Government.

Environmental Advantages

• It is roughly estimated that by eliminating one shift exchange per day– 280 individual commutes are eliminated each day– 100,000+ commutes are eliminated per year

• As these commutes happen during peak rush hour times (4-6pm) the advantages to the environment and traffic congestion within the City and GTA are enormous.

Vacation Selections

• By aligning the shifts to the current calendar there is no net increase in employee’s hours of work off due to vacation.

Proposed 24 Hour Shift Schedule

D3

DD3&

DD4Nights

DD4Days

SundaySaturdayFridayThursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondayWeek

ByComparison

Vacation Selections

• Vacation system to "remain the same" with weeks given conventional 10 & 14 headings to fit the schedule we currently use.

• Vacations will be booked as calendar weeks:Monday to Sunday = 1 week.3&3 may be taken once a year (weeks 3 & 4 in above table) while current Summer/December rules apply.

• For shift transfers (promotions etc.) calendar weeks booked will remain the same and honored as is the current practice.

Sick Time Proposal

• 2 sick credits used per 24 hour period.• If you leave sick (early) from work:

Between 0800 - 1400 - 1.5 sick credits deducted1400 - 2000 - 1 sick credits deducted2000 - 0200 - .5 sick credits deducted0200 - 0800 - 0 sick credits deducted

• Sick payout for retirement would not be affected or changed.

• If sick for successive days, you could expect a call after your 2nd consecutive work day off to determine if a Doctor's note is required.

Probability of Absences

• The probability of being sick on a work day is lower on the 24 hour shift schedule. The odds of the firefighter requiring an extra work day to recuperate/recover from a one or two-day illness is reduced as well.

• On the current shift schedule firefighters work 14 shifts per cycle (excluding vacation). There is a 50% (14/28) chance of an illness occurring on a work day. These odds are reduced to 7/28, a 50% less chance of being sick on a work day on this 24 hour shift schedule.

Lieu Pay & Floater

• Lieu payout for current 11 statutory holidays would not change.

• Two negotiations offers will be presented regarding Floater day:

• Option 1- Payout floater as if an extra statutory holiday

• Option 2- Members may utilize one 24 hour floater day off every two years (members hired in even years would utilize their floater day off in the even years and vice versa for members hired in odd years)

Shift Change/Exchange Proposal

• No more than 12 additional hours may be worked at the front end or back end of a 24 hour day (36 hr max).

• All other exchange rules apply.

Time Owing Proposal

• 16 hours of banked time = one 24 hour day off.• Every hour in the bank = 1.5 hours in money or

time.

• The 24 hour shift schedule is the most common in North American Fire Services, demonstrating that it is a workable system.

• It is the preferred choice of firefighters largely due to the change in demographics of the fire service and individual family life that has evolved over the past several decades.

• High morale translates into highly motivated staff. Many testimonials exist that support an increase in morale brought on by the implementation of the 24 hour shift schedule.

• The 24 hour shift schedule lends itself to less disruption to the bodies natural cycles leading to healthier and highly motivated firefighters.

• Well rested and alert firefighters are a safer and more effective resource on the fire ground and during routine duties.

Thank You

24 Hour Shift Committee of the Mississauga Fire Fighters

Association

References

1. Atkinson, W. "Shift Work Fatigue Among Firefighters," Health and Safety, FD Safety Officers Assoc. Legal Briefings for Fire Chiefs, v12, no 11, Nov. 1999

2. Glazner, L.: ”Shift Work: Its Effect on Workers," Amer. Assoc Occ. Health Nursing Journal, v39, no. 9, Sept. 1991 "Effects of Shift Work on FFs" School of Nursing, UCLA, 1996 "Factors related to Injury of shift working FFs in the NE US," Safety Science, 21 (1996)

3. Kaufman, A. "FF Shift Work Preference," Univ. of Waterloo System Design Engineering, 1997

4. Motohashi, Y. and Takano, T. "Effects of 24 hour Shift Work on Circadian Rhythm Chars. in Amb. Personnel," Dpt. of Public Health and Env. Sci, School of Med., Tokyo Medical Univ., Chronobiology Intl. v10, no. 6

5. Terwilliger, M.S., Waggoner, E., Calif Dpt. of Forestry and Fire Protection, "The 24-Hour Operational Period," Wildland FF, April 1999.

6. Scott, A. “Shift Work Hazards”.7. Kerin, A. and Aguirre, A. “Improving Health, Safety, and Profits in

Extended Hours Operations (Shiftwork)”, October 20, 2004.