Alexandria firefighters have begun working under a new schedule that reduces their weekly hours from 56 to 49, the culmination of a staffing overhaul that has dramatically improved retention at the fire department.
The shift to a four-shift, 49-hour work week marks a significant change for first responders who have worked under one of the longest schedules in public service for decades, according to a news release provided to ALXnow on Saturday from Alexandria Firefighters Inc. IAFF Local 2141.
“This is a game-changer,” said Josh Turner, president of IAFF Local 2141. “The 4-shift model not only reduces the physical and emotional strain on our firefighters, but also enhances our ability to serve the public with energy, focus, and resilience.”
The schedule change was announced in July during an update to the Alexandria City Council by Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez. Chief Hernandez told City Council that it was part of a broader transformation that has seen the department’s monthly attrition rate drop from 3.3 employees to 1.1 over the past year. Four former employees have returned to work, and the department now receives transfer requests from other city employees for the first time in its history.
The new schedule provides firefighters with 48 hours off between shifts, up from the previous 24, a change Hernandez called significant for health and wellness.
Rather than using a “Kelly Day” system that has proven problematic in other departments, Alexandria adopted a fourth-shift schedule with a “debit day” system. Firefighters work a 42-hour workweek, with employees working an extra day every 24 days, averaging 49 hours weekly.
The previous collective bargaining agreement required transitioning to a 50-hour work week by July 2025. The new schedule goes beyond that requirement.
Implementing the schedule required promoting 40 employees over the past year, with 48% of those promoted being diverse candidates, including minorities and women.
The union said the 49-hour work week is a first step toward an ultimate goal of a 42-hour work week, which is a nationally recognized standard for emergency response work.
Turner credited Hernandez, Mayor Alyia Gaskins, the city council, and City Manager James Parajon for making the change possible.
“This isn’t just a scheduling change — it’s a statement of values,” Turner said. “It shows that Alexandria is serious about supporting its first responders and building a safer, stronger community.”
The fire department operates nine stations and responded to 28,042 incidents in 2024, a 32% increase over the previous 5 years. The department achieved one of its lowest vacancy rates—1.7% — over five years, according to a July presentation to the city council.
