Collins, Bipartisan Group Introduce Bill to Enhance Shift Flexibility for Firefighters

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Co-Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, along with Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), introduced a bipartisan bill to allow federal firefighters to engage in trade time, enabling firefighters to trade shifts without affecting pay or using annual leave.

“Every day across the country, firefighters put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” said Senator Collins. “Federal firefighters protect some of our nation’s most critical assets and infrastructure, including Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Naval Support Activity Cutler in Maine.  To better accommodate the uncommon hours these brave men and women work, our bipartisan bill would allow federal firefighters to trade shifts without affecting their pay.” 

“Federal firefighters provide an invaluable service protecting our military installations, national laboratories, Veterans Medical Centers, and in our communities. The high stress and demands of the job often make it difficult for these dedicated emergency responders to find a balance between home and work life.  The IAFF appreciates Senators Van Hollen, Carper, Collins, and Tester for their work introducing the Federal Fire Fighters Flexibility and Fairness Act, which will provide parity to our federal fire fighters, allowing them to exchange shifts when necessary, a flexibility the law has long permitted municipal and state fire fighters to utilize,” said Harold A. Schaitberger, General President of IAFF. 

This bill would correct a longstanding disparity between federal firefighters and state, local, and municipal firefighters, who have been able to engage in trade time since the 1985 Fair Labor Standards Act.  Allowing firefighters to engage in trade time lets firehouses maintain staffing requirements and enhances their ability to keep communities safe – while enabling firefighters to meet personal obligations without having to use annual leave.

This legislation is supported by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.).

In 1985, Congress amended the Fair Labor Standards Act so that state, local, and municipal professional firefighters could engage in a practice called trade time. Trade time allows two firefighters, solely at their option and with the approval of their supervisor, to trade shifts without affecting the pay of either firefighter.

This change was made because firefighters work uncommon schedules involving 24 hour shifts and 72 hour work weeks, followed by a period of time away from the firehouse. Trade time enables firefighters to meet personal obligations such as attending a child's birthday or assisting a sick family member without exhausting their annual leave. It also ensures that firehouses across the country can maintain staffing requirements and keep our communities safe.

Click HERE to read the full text.

###