CHESAPEAKE, Va. — The Chesapeake Fire Department announced plans to move to a 42-hour work week for firefighters. The department plans to add a fourth shift and to hire roughly 140 new firefighters to make it happen.
The department currently operates on three rotating shifts, with firefighters working about 56 hours per week. On average, a firefighter works about 832 more hours per year than a regular 40-hour employee. Fire Chief Sam Gulisano said the fourth shift will spread those hours out, giving firefighters more time to rest and recover between shifts.
“So we’re excited to announce that we’re moving toward a fourth shift,” Gulisano said. “So most fire departments across the nation work on a three-shift schedule. This initiative adds a fourth shift to our fire department.”…