On Saturday, July 3, Las Cruces firefighters began a transition to a 48-hour work schedule and a new report-to-duty time of 11 a.m. for each shift.
The new schedule 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 by City Council in 2020.
LCFD administration has spent the better part of the past six months arranging training schedules, adjustiung payroll processes and working with the City's Human Resources Department to prepare for the implementation of the new schedule.