Working as a Raleigh Firefighter

Schedules and Shifts

Raleigh Firefighters are on duty for 24-hour shifts beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at 8 a.m. the following day. Firefighters assigned to a piece of apparatus are called a Company.

Rotating schedule of "on-off-on-off-on-off-off-off-off".
There are three platoons of personnel, named “A”, “B”, and “C”.
Firefighters eat and sleep at their assigned stations (firefighters do not receive supplemental pay for their meals).
Following the evening meal, Firefighters are allowed to relax, at the station, but do remain ready for the next emergency call.

In addition to responding to emergency calls, line personnel has a set schedule. The typical 24-hour day starts with an exchange of information from the previous day followed by a morning check off of fire apparatus and personal protective gear.

Daily Tasks and Responsibilities

Other daily tasks and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

cleaning the fire station and equipment, completing any station projects,
territory pre-incident surveys, hydrant maintenance,
fire prevention, and public relation activities,
company training and physical fitness (Firefighters are required to complete an annual physical fitness evaluation).