Naperville Fire Department To Implement 'Power Shifting'

NAPERVILLE, IL --- The Naperville Fire Department recently implemented a new scheduling program that they hope will improve productivity and reduce costs. Traditionally, full-time firefighters in Illinois work a 24-hour shift and then have 48 hours off. With the new "power shifting" program, up to four firefighters will be put on a 40-hour a week schedule to work from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, when the majority of fires are reported.

In a news release, fire officials said this change " allows for an additional response vehicle during peak hours of operation without any increased costs, decreased response time to calls when power shifting is in place, increased productivity, additional training hours and less demand for mutual aid from neighboring departments."

Naperville Fire Department Chief Mark Puknaitis said power shifting will benefit employees, management, and the greater community. He added that he believes it will be more beneficial than reducing service or making employees work overtime.

Puknaitis said, "I’m pleased the department and its members could embrace this level of innovation for the benefit of Naperville."

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