To the Editor,
For decades, firefighters across the country, including here in Garland, have worked a 56-hour work week. This schedule, commonly known as the 24/48, consists of a 24-hour shift followed by 48 hours off. At the time it was adopted, the schedule was considered both practical and safe. It reflected the realities of the fire service at that time.
Some departments work a variation of this schedule known as the 48/96, which is a 48-hour shift followed by 96 hours off. At first glance, this may appear to be an improvement because of the extended time off. At its core, however, it is still a 56-hour work week with the same cumulative fatigue concerns.
What has changed over the years is the operational reality of the fire service. What has not changed is the schedule.
This article explains why continuing to work firefighters under a 56-hour work week no longer aligns with modern public safety demands, firefighter health, or long-term workforce stability, based on information presented to Garland stakeholders.
A Schedule Built for a Different Era
When the fire service first moved away from even longer schedules, such as 24 hours on and 24 hours off, call volumes were lower and far more predictable. Fires made up the majority of responses. Nighttime rest at the fire station was often uninterrupted, and firefighters could usually recover with a single day off.
As emergency medical services expanded and call volumes increased, departments recognized that this model was no longer sustainable. The 24-on, 48-off schedule was adopted to reduce fatigue and improve safety. At the time, it was the right decision.
That same logic still applies today. The difference is that the operational environment has continued to evolve, while the schedule has remained largely unchanged.
The Modern Fire Service Reality
Today’s firefighters operate in a vastly different environment. Fire calls are only one part of the job. The majority of responses are now emergency medical calls, many of them high-acuity and complex. Calls occur around the clock, often with little predictability.
Nighttime rest during a 24-hour shift is frequently fragmented or nonexistent. Firefighters may respond to multiple calls overnight, return to the station, and immediately begin the next day’s duties without meaningful sleep.
Two days off is often not enough to fully recover from the accumulated sleep debt created by these shifts. Over time, fatigue becomes chronic rather than occasional.
Fatigue Is Not Just “Being Tired”
Fatigue is a well-documented safety risk in many professions. In the fire service, it is compounded by physical exertion, high stress, exposure to traumatic events, and disrupted sleep cycles.
Scientific research shows that sleep deprivation impairs judgment, slows reaction time, reduces situational awareness, and increases the likelihood of errors. Other safety-sensitive professions such as aviation, trucking, and rail operations place strict limits on hours worked and require defined rest periods. Firefighters, despite comparable or greater risk exposure, often do not have similar protections.
Health and Mental Health Consequences
Chronic fatigue affects more than on-scene performance. Over time, it contributes to serious health consequences, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and higher injury rates.
The mental and behavioral health impacts are equally concerning. Firefighters experiencing prolonged fatigue are at higher risk for depression, anxiety, burnout, substance misuse, and suicide. Family relationships and support systems also suffer when recovery time is consistently insufficient.
These are not isolated issues. They accumulate over years of service.
Safety Risks for Firefighters and the Public
Fatigue increases the likelihood of on-duty injuries, apparatus crashes, tactical errors on emergency scenes, and clinical errors during medical care. It can impair decision-making at every level, including during rare but high-consequence incidents.
When fatigue becomes predictable, it also becomes a manageable risk. Continuing to ignore it exposes both firefighters and the public to unnecessary danger.
Workforce Sustainability at Risk
The 56-hour work week also affects the long-term stability of the fire department. Departments across the country are seeing accelerated burnout, increased sick leave usage, and greater reliance on mandatory overtime.
Recruitment and retention are becoming more difficult, particularly among mid-career firefighters who form the backbone of leadership, training, and mentorship. As
experienced personnel leave earlier than expected, the leadership pipeline weakens and training demands increase.
This is not just a staffing challenge. It is an organizational sustainability issue.
Why This Matters to Garland
Public safety depends on a workforce that is healthy, alert, and capable of performing at a high level day after day. A schedule designed for a different era no longer supports that goal.
This discussion is not about blaming the past. The 56-hour work week was the right answer when it was adopted. But just as the fire service has adapted equipment, tactics, and standards to match changing risks, work schedules must also be reevaluated.
Fatigue, burnout, and workforce sustainability are not internal employee issues. They are public safety issues.
What Comes Next
This article is the first step in a broader conversation. Future articles will explain potential solutions, the costs associated with those solutions, and how they could be implemented responsibly and transparently.
For now, the goal is understanding. The current schedule is increasingly misaligned with modern fire service demands, and continuing down the same path carries real risks for firefighters and the community they serve.
Recognizing that reality is the foundation for any responsible discussion about the future.
Questions or Additional Information
Citizens who have questions or would like additional information are encouraged to contact:
Bill Crews
President, Garland Fire Fighters Association
Phone: (817) 819-0116
Email: bill.crews@outlook.com
