MILTON, Ga. — In a move aimed at boosting firefighter well-being and recruitment, the City of Milton Fire Department will adopt a new 1323 shift schedule starting this October, becoming one of only a few departments nationwide to do so.
The city stated on social media that the new schedule has firefighters work one 24-hour shift followed by three days off, then work two consecutive 24-hour shifts followed by another three days off. This contrasts with the traditional 24-on, 48-off schedule used by most fire departments.
According to Milton officials, the change offers numerous benefits, including:
- More time off for rest, family, school, or second jobs
- Improved physical and mental health
- Greater likelihood of having full weekends and holidays off
- Better continuity and communication across shifts
- Reduced commuting with 39 fewer trips to the station annually
Firefighters on the new schedule would have 11 full weekends off per year without using vacation time, a significant improvement over the previous model…