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Dunedin extends 48/96 pilot for firefighters after yearlong trial; commission approves MOU
Summary
Following a yearlong pilot, the commission approved a memorandum of understanding to continue a 48-hours-on/96-hours-off shift schedule for Dunedin Fire Rescue through the current contract term; staff cited a 21% reduction in sick leave during the pilot.
The City Commission approved a memorandum of understanding continuing a 48/96 shift schedule for Dunedin Fire Rescue after a one-year pilot. Theresa Smalling, director of human resources and risk management, said the pilot ran from February 2024 to Feb. 18, 2025. Fire administration reported a roughly 21% decrease in sick leave during that period and recommended extending the schedule through the current union contract period ending Sept. 30, 2027.
Fire Chief Jeff Parks told commissioners the schedule has not reduced service levels, and the department is hiring to fill staffing goals. Philip Gandolfo, fire lieutenant and union vice president, said the schedule improved work-life balance and reduced burnout; initial approval in the pilot phase grew from about 67% to 92% acceptance among firefighters by the end of the trial, the union leader said. Gandolfo added the schedule produced operational benefits including longer on-shift continuity for training and task completion.
Commissioners questioned safety, staffing holes and scheduling complexity; Chief Parks said the department uses a scheduling program (CrewSense) and has not seen gaps caused by the change. The commission voted unanimously to adopt the MOU continuing the schedule through the end of the current contract. The commission then participated in a joint signing of the agreement with union representatives.
