[quote=CA renter][quote=RichardJamesEsquire][quote=paramount][quote]NOBODY is “guaranteed” overtime. The reason police and firefighters work O/T is because — unlike desk jockeys in the corporate world — they are 100% necessary, 100% of the time — [/quote]

Nobody is 100% necessary , 100% of the time…NOBODY.[/quote]

Saw that too,
firefighters are on standby 100% of the time. Just like doctors, utilities, even your plumber.[/quote]

That person “on call” is the one who gets the overtime — the same overtime people here are complaining about.

Yes, they are 100% necessary, 100% of the time. Every position needs to be filled, every single day. If one member of the engine crew doesn’t show up for work, the fire engine is not staffed, and they can’t run calls (each crew person has very specific tasks).

If a police officer doesn’t show up for work, his/her area will not be staffed — leading to longer response times and possibly putting fellow officers at risk.

Contrary to your beliefs, police and fire departments run very lean operations at the ground level.[/quote]

How about- 100% necessary 100% of the time that they are running a call that is truly an emergency- final offer

How can you expect me to buy into it’s such a responsibility, and at the same time, we would have trouble getting guys to show up for work and on time if we didn’t have such long shifts.

Why not just say we like the ot, we like working 10 days a month, we don’t want short shifts cause a call at the end of it would mess up my plans.

Yes it does cost less to pay ot instead of new full time hires.
Why, is because of pension benefits.
given after 9/11
which we can’t pay for.

Solution, part time new hires with greatly reduced benefits and shorter shifts for all.

I’m talking about firemen not law enforcement.
There is no shortage of applicants and a great history of unpaid volunteers.