48/96 Schedule anyone doing it?

[FishHawk]

I work for a company (a 501 © 3). We work very closely with a fire department but are not part of it. They are contemplating going to a 48/96 schedule. (48 hours on and 96 hours off basically 2 days on 4 days off). My employer has told me that if the fire department goes to this schedule the ambulance company will not.

We have argued that since we currently follow a modified Kelly rotation and work the same shifts as the FD it would be in our best interest to continue working the same shifts as the FD. The employers response is "its illegal, we can't do it".

Does anyone know whether this statement carries any truth? If so can you direct to the the federal law that applies?

Personally I like the idea and would be very willing to give it a test to she how it actually works. Our call volume is generally light enough that I do not think fatigue would be problem. It would also be beneficial to continue working the same shifts with the same fire staff and continue to maintain cohesion etc with them........

Any input?

Thanks

[chbare]

FishHawk, I am not sure about the legalities in your area, however, there are flight crews that work this shift in my area of the woods. When I was employed as an EMT-B I worked 48 hours on shift, and then 24 hours on call, followed by 4 days off. When I started nursing school, I just worked 48 hours on the weekends. Looking back, I think it was pretty rough. The service I worked for did a mix of 911 calls and transfers. (heavy on the transfers) Most of our transfers went to a city 120 miles away. This was about a 6 hour round trip. You get two of these transfers in a day and then some 911 calls and you were toast. I am fond of just working my three to four 12 hour shifts a week and picking up extra hours at my leisure. Just my opinion however.

Take care,

chbare.

[ffpm41]

I have never worked 48/96 and couldn't imagine working it at a station that runs 8-12 calls a shift with most of those being transports. You know the administration wouldn't give a sh*@ about how tired we were, day work would still have to be done (training, maintenance, etc.). I could understand if you had a 100 mile commute because it was to expensive to live in the area you work (San Jose) or in a very remote district.

Good luck, Boise FD has a good 48/96 site, see below.

Boise FD 48-96 site

[FishHawk]

As I said in my post the call volume generally will not be problem. We do no transfers All calls are 911 and our refusal rate is high. (I work in small mountain town with 20+ Casinos and its amazing how many people would risk getting sicker than than to give up their lucky slot machine) So call volume is not usually an issue for us.

What I want to know is the legality of the schedule, is it or is it not legal?

I know many FD's use it but they operate under a different set of rules than a non-profit or for profit ambulance service. We are not a government entity like most FD's.

Any help?

[chbare]

FishHawk, check the Colorado state EMS office on line.

www.cdphe.state.co.us/em/PCPStatuteRule.asp.

Click on statues and rules and then click on Colorado EMTS act. It looks like you can find every Colorado law on that link.

Take care,

chbare.