Beginning Saturday, Las Cruces firefighters will transition to a 48-hour work schedule and a new report-to-duty time of 11 a.m. each shift.
The new schedule, set to begin Saturday, July 3, will see Las Cruces Fire Department firefighters begin their shift at 11 a.m. and work a 48-hour shift. After the 48-hour shift, firefighters will be off duty for 96 consecutive hours.
“With this new schedule, LCFD hopes to be able to recruit and retain highly qualified individuals while at the same time affording our personnel more consecutive days off to be with their families, and decompress from the mental stressors of emergency response,” said Las Cruces Fire Department Chief Jason Smith.
Currently, LCFD firefighters work a 24-hour shift with 48 hours off between shifts.
The new schedule was negotiated by the International Association of Firefighters Local 2362 during the last negotiation period. The contract was ratified by the Union and City Council in 2020.
LCFD Administration have taken the better part of the last six months to arrange training schedules, adjust payroll processes and work with Human Resources to prepare for the implementation of the new schedule.