Radford Professional Firefighter and EMS Association Local 5330

09/24/2026

HISTORY MADE IN PORTSMOUTH!

The Portsmouth City Council has officially passed the collective bargaining ordinance!

This victory belongs to every city employee, union member, supporter, and citizen who stood together and made their voices heard. Thank you to the members of City Council who voted to give Portsmouth employees a voice at the table.

This is an important step forward, but our work is just beginning. We remain united and ready for what comes next.

When we stand together, we win together!

International Association of Fire Fighters Virginia Professional Fire Fighters Mayor Shannon E. GloverBill Moody Councilman Vernon L. Tillage Councilwoman Kitty Bryant Yolanda Edmonds Thomas

09/23/2026

No national set of cancer-screening recommendations exists specifically for firefighters.
Existing national screening recommendations were designed for the general population, not for a profession with distinct and cumulative occupational exposures.
FCSN is working to help close that gap. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4glOBa6

09/23/2026

Asbestos. To***co smoke. Occupational exposure as a firefighter.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer places all three in Group 1, its classification for agents and exposures known to cause cancer in humans.
Firefighters deserve health guidance that reflects the hazards of their profession. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4glOBa6

09/23/2026

09/21/2026

September is and .

For and emergency medical workers, the demands of the job can have lasting effects.

For anyone who may be struggling, or supporting someone who is:

💛 Asking for help shows strength.
💛 Recovery can happen.
💛 No one has to face these challenges alone.

Find more information and resources here: iaff.org/behavioral-health/recovery-month/

09/21/2026

09/20/2026

A Message from Radford Professional Firefighters & EMS Local 5330

The City of Radford has approved a 14-week study of our Fire and EMS services to be conducted by Gannon Emergency Solutions, at a cost of $29,000. This will begin in October.

Our union welcomes the opportunity for an outside organization to take a comprehensive look at our Fire and EMS operations. We believe an objective review can provide valuable information and help our community continue to plan for the future.

Our hope is that the study will be thorough, objective, data driven, non bias and take into consideration the unique needs and risks of the City of Radford.

We also hope the study will consider applicable NFPA standards and nationally recognized fire and EMS best practices, with a focus on both community safety and the health and safety of our firefighters and EMS personnel.

We look forward to cooperating with Gannon Emergency Solutions and the City throughout this process and providing whatever information and perspective may be helpful.

At the end of the day, we all share the same goal. Provide the citizens of Radford with safe, effective, and dependable Fire and EMS services while ensuring the personnel who provide those services have the resources and support necessary to do their jobs safely.

We appreciate the City’s investment in taking a closer look at our emergency services and look forward to seeing the findings and recommendations of the study.

Radford Professional Firefighters & EMS
IAFF Local 5330

09/20/2026

WHY 24/72? IT’S ABOUT READINESS, NOT JUST DAYS OFF.

A 24/72 schedule means 24 hours on duty followed by 72 hours off. For firefighters and paramedics, that additional recovery time can make a meaningful difference.

Recent research examining firefighter schedules has identified potential benefits associated with 24/72, including:

🔹 Improved recovery — More time to sleep, recover physically and mentally, and prepare for the next shift.

🔹 Reduced fatigue — Firefighters may face interrupted sleep, emergency calls, physical exertion, heat exposure, and stressful incidents during a 24-hour shift. Recovery matters.

🔹 Better morale — Departments using 24/72 have reported significant improvements in employee morale.

🔹 Recruitment & retention — Research from departments using or considering 24/72 has found reported improvements in recruitment and retention.

🔹 Less sick leave — Some departments reported reductions in sick leave after moving toward 24/72.

🔹 Family & quality of life — Three consecutive days off provide more predictable time for family, appointments, exercise, and personal responsibilities.

🔹 A sustainable workforce — Keeping experienced firefighters and paramedics healthy and in the profession benefits the entire community

09/13/2026

Virginia Beach, VA is making major changes to its firefighter schedule and plans to hire heavily to make it happen. Firefighters currently work a three shift, 21 day schedule averaging 56 hours a week. The first step will bring that down to 48 hours while still using the 21 day but with a Kelly day added. The long term plan is to add a fourth shift and eventually reach a 42 hour workweek, which could mean a 24/72 or some sort of other 4-platoon schedule. Getting there will require an estimated 165 additional firefighters, with hiring spread over the next several budget years. Fire Chief Kenneth Pravetz says the changes are aimed at better recovery, work life balance, career longevity, recruitment and retention. It is a significant investment in staffing and an acknowledgment that improving the schedule and quality of life can play a major role in not just keeping firefighters on the job, but healthier, safer and happier!