FIRE ENGINEERING

“Firefighters Say LAFD is Understaffed and Forces Unpaid Overtime”

“Firefighters say they are being forced to work excessive overtime shifts due to staffing shortages—often without proper compensation.

The issue sparked an ongoing, years-long legal battle, and now gains new significance in light of the devastating wildfires that have ravaged Southern California, KTLA reports.

At a news conference Tuesday morning, veteran firefighter-paramedic Daniel Gonzalez, who has served 21 years with the Los Angeles Fire Department, called for fair treatment of the city’s 3,000 firefighters.

In addition to frequent mandatory overtime shifts, firefighters say their regular 24-hour shifts often get extended to 25.5 hours without additional pay due to staffing shortages.”