QUINCY, MI (WTVB) – The Quincy Fire Department, with the approval of the Quincy Fire Association, has enacted what is called a duty shift pilot program for the 2018-2019 fiscal year.
Quincy Fire Chief Michael Sherman says the program is an effort to further decrease response times, increase firefighter training opportunities, complete fire pre-plans, and to perform fire safety and other public services within their district.
Sherman says thirty staffed shifts have been budgeted. Each shift will be staffed with at least one company officer and three firefighters. Each on duty firefighter will be compensated $100 for working an assigned 9-hour shift. Shifts have been scheduled to be filled on historically busy days throughout the year, during special community events and some will be utilized to have a crew on station during severe weather.
Sherman expects a decrease in overall payroll when a staffed four-man crew can handle most small incidents, thus reducing the need of calling in the entire department and paying them the regular $25 flat call-in rate.
According to Sherman, large incidents will still have a traditional full department call-in response when necessary.
The Chief Officers will determine the program’s effectiveness at the end of the budget year and determine whether or not to continue the program.
