Overtime by Raleigh, NC, Firefighters Causing Burnout, IAFF Officer Claims
Raleigh firefighters worked 117,000 hours of overtime in a year.
After a WRAL investigative report, Mayor Pro Tempore Stormie Forte has asked the fire chief and city manager to address the issue and offer possible modifications.
"We need to address appropriate staffing levels, firefighter burnout, voluntary overtime, and some other issues," she said.
President of the Raleigh Professional Firefighters Association Andrew Davis told reporters conducting the probe that the extra overtime hours were resulting in burnout.
Although the overtime hours are voluntary and some appreciate the additional income, he hoped the city would focus on adding additional positions, which they have not done in more than 10 years, despite the growing population.
A firefighter training academy is set for February.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.