Post by Rick (Admin) on Apr 16, 2013 20:59:13 GMT -5
North Bay council opposes 24-hour shifts for firefighters
NORTH BAY - City politicians are taking a public stand against 24-hour shifts for firefighters.
A majority of council backed a motion tabled Monday by Coun. Dave Mendicino and deputy mayor Sean Lawlor opposing a 24-hour shift model for North Bay Fire and Emergency Services, citing concerns about efficiency and effectiveness and the health and safety of firefighters and the public.
The move comes as the city prepares for arbitration later this month with the North Bay Professional Fire Fighters Association, which has been without a contract since December of 2010.
Mendicino said it's “unprecedented” for council to deal publicly with matters related to the negotiation and arbitration process. But he said city politicians need to be “vocal” about opposing 24-hour shifts.
“We can't let this happen,” he said, noting the city has control over little else within the fire department other than scheduling and staffing.
His two-page motion points to a list of potential risks associated with 24-hour shifts including a reduction of the ability of firefighters to perform physically and mentally demanding tasks, reduction in on-the-job stamina and increased rates of technical errors. The motion also suggest 24-hour shifts have the potential to create onerous operational and administrative burdens and financial costs associated with sick leave, training, overtime and discipline. In addition, it warns of the potential to impair the ability to ensure adequate numbers of firefighters available for callback in the event of major incidents.
The motion also suggests there is insufficient evidence to refute such concerns or confirm the “subjective” benefits of 24-hour shifts.
North Bay firefighters currently work 10-hour day shifts and 14-hour night shifts. Typically they will work four day shifts followed by four days off and then four night shifts.
A number of fire departments in Ontario have switched over to 24-hour shifts, including London, Kingston, Mississauga, Newmarket, Oakville, Ottawa and Toronto. The day-long shifts are also common in the United States.
Rather than four shifts in a row, proponents argue that the extended shifts are easier to recover from, which saves taxpayers money by reducing sick days and overtime. Proponents also say 24-hour shifts provide additional time for training and increase employee morale.
Most North Bay council members, however, shared concerns that 24-hour shifts would put firefighters and the public at risk.
“For me, it boiled down to health and safety and public safety,” said Lawlor.
Coun. Chris Mayne said he isn't comfortable with the idea of a firefighter nearing the end of a 24-hour shift getting behind the wheel in order to respond to a call.
Coun. Tanya Vrebosch was the only voice around the table to vote against the motion, calling for input from staff and the city's fire chief.
“I don't think this is an informed decision,” said Vrebosch, noting she found conflicting information about the pros and cons of 24-hour shifts in her own research.
Coun. Daryl Vallaincourt said in the aviation industry studies have shown a direct correlation between the length of a shift and frequency of errors.
www.nugget.ca/2013/04/16/council-opposes-24-hour-shifts-for-firefighters