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Council approves side-letter to staff new Engine 208 with a 48/96 schedule and raise minimum staffing
Summary
City and firefighters’ union agreed to a temporary staffing change to implement a partial Engine 208 deployment; the city will use a 48/96 schedule for new hires and temporarily raise minimum engine staffing from 17 to 20.
The El Cajon City Council unanimously approved June 10 a side-letter agreement with the city’s firefighters’ bargaining group to partially implement Engine 208 staffing using a phased approach and a new temporary schedule.
Staff said the action implements a plan the council directed after a February fire-coverage workshop. To staff the partial engine company, the agreement adds a temporary 48/96 schedule for the new hires — two consecutive 24-hour shifts followed by four days off — while the department’s existing personnel remain on the standard Kelly schedule. Staff said the 48/96 schedule was proposed and developed in partnership with the labor group.
As part of the side letter, the city will temporarily raise the department-wide minimum staffing level from 17 to 20 to reflect the partial engine implementation. Staff also said the amendment addresses unplanned overtime and includes exclusions intended to limit burnout while ensuring coverage.
Council asked whether 48/96 personnel could be subject to forced (unplanned) overtime; staff said all employees are subject to planned overtime but noted restrictions intended to avoid staff burnout. Council approved the side letter by unanimous vote.
