Bill > HB3122

This bill modifies existing labor regulations for firefighters in paid fire departments by increasing the maximum consecutive hours they can work from 24 to 48 hours. Currently, firefighters are limited to working no more than 112 hours over a 14-day period, but this legislation would allow them to work up to 48 consecutive hours in a single shift, except during emergencies that require more than half the department to be on duty. The bill also permits firefighters who choose to work a 48-hour shift to take a corresponding off-shift period of up to 96 hours. Importantly, the bill ensures that firefighters' total annual compensation will not be reduced by these scheduling changes. The modification will be determined by a majority vote of the department members, and the chief executive officer of the fire department will be responsible for making the necessary staffing assignments under this new framework. This change could potentially provide more flexibility in scheduling and potentially improve coverage for fire departments.