New Orleans firefighters say they will not volunteer for overtime because a shortage in manpower has them overworked.
"When it comes down to the actual manpower on the streets, we're at critical mass now," Firefighters Union President Aaron Mischler told WWLTV. Firefighters will still work any required overtime hours.
Press Release regarding the sad state of affairs at the NOFD. New Orleans Fire Fighters can no longer work voluntary overtime.#neworleansfirefighters #nolafirefighters #iaff632 #noffa #iaff #nolafire #firefighter #unionfirefighters #cityofyes pic.twitter.com/gBjHudyP7o
— New Orleans Firefighters (@IAFF632) February 10, 2020The firefighter’s union says NOFD firefighters are responding to more fires, a call increase of 150% over the past 10 years. Meanwhile, the number of firefighters in New Orleans actually dropped.
"They're trying to bring people in," Mischler said. "Last year, the mayor budgeted for 50 new hires. We hired 8. This year, they budgeted for another 50. We're at 39 going on through the process, right now, but it's not keeping up with attrition."
The union says the lack of manpower has some firefighters working more than 98 hours a week. Firefighters are required to work 24 hours per shift.
Mischler says the shortage could mean some firehouses could close at certain times, "We want to be properly staffed and we want the city to address the issues. We cannot run an engine house or fire truck with less than three firefighters on that unit.”
New Orleans Fire Superintendent Tim McConnell says the city has plans to hire more firefighters with two recruit classes planned this year. He says despite the shortage of people in New Orleans are safe. "It will be a challenge if they continue to do this and ask the firefighters not to work the overtime, but we're working hard to get people hired and we will ensure people are safe," said McConnell.
