NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ESQUIMALT, BC - Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) is pleased to announce the commencement of a new 24-hour shift pattern today (August 6, 2024) , as part of a two-year pilot program aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and service delivery to the community.
Aligned with our commitment to continuous improvement, the new shift pattern is designed to be cost-neutral, ensuring no impact on the department’s budget, public safety, or service levels. This strategic shift aims to enhance on-duty training, reduce mental health claims and optimize operational readiness.
All fire staff, except for the chief and two assistant chiefs, will continue to work the same number of hours over an 8-day period; however, the previous shift pattern of two day shifts, two night shifts followed by 4 days off will be replaced with full two 24 hour shifts.
As follows:
Previous Shift Pattern:
- Two 10-hour day shifts
- Two 14-hour night shifts
- Four days off
New Shift Pattern:
- One 24-hour shift
- 48-hour break
- Another 24-hour shift
- Four days off
The Township is the first municipality on Vancouver Island to implement this shift pattern. Fire Chief Matt Furlot remarked, “we are encouraged by the successful results in other BC departments, particularly in the Lower Mainland. These departments have reported improved mental health and station morale, which can be challenging to measure objectively.”
While there may be questions about the 24-hour shift model, it has been successfully adopted by numerous Canadian fire departments over the past decades. This shift pattern has shown significant benefits, including improved work-life balance, and increased time for critical tasks such as fire safety inspections. A dedicated steering committee, comprised of both Union and Management will closely examine various factors over the two-year pilot, including staff training, absenteeism, and the number of annual fire inspections, as well as ensuring the model remains cost-neutral.
President of IAFF Local 4264 Andrew Zado expressed, “we are committed to it's success and look forward to working on a joint committee where we will monitor the successes and overcome challenges together as we strive to continually improving the department’s operations and service to the community while enhancing the health and wellness of our members.”
Both Zado and Furlot outlined that this transition exemplifies the strong working relationship between the management at the Township of Esquimalt and the Local IAFF Union and stated, “we both recognize our shared interest in enhancing the work experience for our valued firefighters, and we look forward to the results of our study.”
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Contact
Matt Furlot, Fire Chief
Andrew Zado, Union President