Plano Fire-Rescue has hired 22 firefighters since last December as part of the transition to a “24/72” shift schedule, Fire Chief Chris Biggerstaff said.
Plano Fire-Rescue is the first all-paid fire department in Texas to adopt the 24/72 schedule, which gives firefighters 72 hours off between each 24-hour shift instead of 48.
Biggerstaff gave an update on the new schedule and how it will impact firefighters at a March 9 Plano City Council meeting.
How it works
Under the current schedule, Plano firefighters work 56 hours each week, 16 hours more than the standard 40-hour work week, according to Biggerstaff’s presentation.
Once the five-year transition to the 24/72 schedule is complete, each firefighter will work roughly 42 hours per week.
Plano Fire-Rescue is making the transition to 24/72 using paid days off called “Kelly Days.”
“[A Kelly Day] is basically like a vacation day that’s inserted into your schedule,” Biggerstaff said.
For every 22 new hires, Plano Fire-Rescue can give each firefighter six Kelly Days, he said.
The department plans to hire 22 more firefighters in 2027 and 2028 in preparation for the official switch to 24/72 in 2029, according to the presentation.
The impact
When Plano City Council approved the 24/72 contract with the Plano Firefighters’ Association last September, city officials said the move would benefit both firefighters and residents.
“[This] ensures our first responders are rested, prepared and able to meet Plano’s increasing call volume,” then-Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Julie Holmer said.
Biggerstaff also believes the schedule will help with hiring and retention, and said the department has already seen a “significant increase” in applications since announcing plans to move to 24/72.
“We’re doing small group meetings throughout the department,” Biggerstaff said. “There’s been a lot of guys that say, ‘I’m going to stay longer as a result of the schedule. I feel like I can physically do this longer because of the schedule.’”