Hanover Professional Firefighters Local 4202

10/19/2026

🚒 Have you heard?📢 We’re Hiring Certified Firefighters! 🚒

Join our team during an exciting time of growth. We’re working to transition our workweek to 48 hours which paves the way for the addition of a 4th shift (reducing workweeks to 42 hours) — and we need dedicated professionals to help us get there.

This progress is contingent upon funding being appropriated in the adopted FY28 budget.

Certified hires will attend a shortened Certified Academy, but please remember all certified applicants must still complete the full hiring process, including the CPAT and the written exam.

• Apply Here by 10/30: https://bit.ly/4xBbSMC
• Written exam must be taken by 11/8. Register here: https://bit.ly/4xwRNqt
• CPAT Cards must be submitted by 11/13. Register here: https://bit.ly/3G2p0UU

If you’re committed to service, safety, and making a real impact, we want to hear from you. Apply today!🔥

09/30/2026

Three of our neighbors are moving toward better schedules for firefighters.

In the last few months, three Hampton Roads cities have committed to cutting firefighter work hours:

Norfolk funded a fourth shift. It cuts the average work week from 52 hours to 42, with no pay cut, and the new shift is set to be running by July 2027.

Virginia Beach approved a move from a 56-hour to a 48-hour work week, as the first step toward a four-shift, 42-hour schedule.

Chesapeake announced yesterday that it is transitioning to a four-shift model, with significant hiring planned in 2027.

Together, that's 150+ new fire department positions coming to the region.

Each of these moves came from fire departments and city leaders working together. The reasons are the same everywhere. Rested firefighters make sharper decisions on emergency scenes, where seconds and judgment matter most. More time to recover means more effective service to residents on every call, from the first hour of a shift to the last. Fewer hours also mean less exposure to cancer-causing hazards over a career, and a stronger ability to recruit and keep good firefighters and EMS providers. Virginia's General Assembly encouraged exactly this change earlier this year, and our neighbors are acting on it.

Congratulations to our brothers and sisters in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake, and to the city leaders who made it happen.

Suffolk's firefighters are watching. While our neighbors cut hours and invest in their people, Suffolk is still asking fewer firefighters to work more hours to cover staffing gaps, with pay that trails the region. We're proud of what our region is building, and Suffolk's firefighters deserve to be part of it.

City of Suffolk, VA - Municipal Government
City of Suffolk Department of Fire & Rescue

HB1333

09/30/2026

🚒 A MAJOR CHANGE IS COMING TO THE CHESAPEAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT

After months of research, review and planning, Fire Chief Sam Gulisano announced today that the Chesapeake Fire Department will begin the process of transitioning to a four-shift staffing model.

This is a significant investment in the future of our department and, most importantly, in the firefighters and EMS providers who serve Chesapeake 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Moving to a four-shift model is expected to provide our members with greater opportunities for rest and recovery, reduce harmful occupational exposures over the course of a career, and strengthen our ability to recruit and retain highly qualified firefighters and EMS providers.

This will not happen overnight.

A department task force has been established to develop a comprehensive implementation plan, and significant hiring will be necessary before the transition can occur. CFD is developing plans to hire up to 70 firefighters during the first phase of implementation in early 2027, with additional hiring anticipated as the transition moves forward.

Planning is also underway for the equipment, facilities and other resources necessary to support an additional shift.

While an exact date for the schedule change has not yet been established, our direction is clear: Chesapeake Fire is moving toward a four-shift model.

As Chief Gulisano shared with our members, the process will take time, resources and a lot of work. Our approach will be deliberate and focused on maintaining the high level of emergency service Chesapeake residents expect while taking care of the people who provide that service every day.

We will continue to share updates as the implementation plan develops.

Interested in being part of the future of Chesapeake Fire? Stay tuned, we’re going to need some great people to join our team. 🚒🔥

09/27/2026

Today, Fauquier County is a safer place to live and visit than it was yesterday. As we shared earlier, today marks the first day of our new 24/72 shift schedule. A 42-hour work week means healthier, better performing firefighters. We also have two more fully staffed engines on the road, so residents and visitors get help faster, in more parts of the community, when they need it most.

To our firefighters working today, good luck, stay safe, and thank you!

09/23/2026

Portsmouth's city council unanimously voted to establish a collective bargaining framework, aiming to tackle key issues raised by union leaders.

09/23/2026

“Richmond Professional Firefighter’s Association, IAFF Local 995 is pleased to announce in cooperation with Mayor Avula, CAO Donald, RFD Fire Chief Segal, Councilmembers Dr. Newbille, Reva Trammell, and Sarah Abubaker, that the Richmond Fire Department is back to our 118 safe staffing level. This decision brings RFD to our 100% operational strength of having four firefighters on each fire truck in the City of Richmond each day. We couldn’t do this without the Citizens of Richmond, your hard earned tax dollars are a precious commodity. We are honored to have your trust. With the adoption of our collective bargaining ordinance by City Council on July 25th, 2022, the employee/ employer relationship is the strongest it’s ever been. We hope the City of Richmond can be the example for other jurisdictions to mirror as they continue their path for statewide public sector collective bargaining legislation. In closing, RFD & Local 995 is honored to serve & protect all who make RVA home, please stay safe!”

Keith Andes, Pres. Richmond Professional Firefighter’s Assoc., IAFF Local 995

09/21/2026

An incredible day for the men and women of Levy County, Florida. Congratulations!! 🔥😁

🚨 WE’RE OFFICIALLY 24/72! 🚨

A new schedule. A new chapter. The same commitment to serving Levy County. ❤️‍🔥🚒🚑

Today marks an exciting milestone for the Levy County Department of Public Safety — we have officially transitioned to the 24/72 schedule!

After months of planning, preparation, hard work, and a whole lot of moving pieces behind the scenes, our crews are now operating on a schedule designed to provide our members with a better work-life balance while continuing to deliver the high-quality fire and EMS service our community depends on.

For our members, 24/72 means 24 hours on duty followed by 72 hours off — this equated to a 42-hour average work week as recommended by legislation, closer to the typical 40-hour week worked by most professions.

For our community, one thing hasn’t changed:
When you call, we’re there. 🚒🚑

This transition represents a significant investment in our personnel and our department’s future. We’re proud of the team who worked through the planning, logistics, staffing, payroll, scheduling, and countless other details required to make this happen.

Most importantly, we’re proud to continue serving the residents and visitors of Levy County every day, every shift, and every call.
24/72 is officially here.

Same mission. Same dedication. A new way forward.

🔥 Levy County DPS — Ready to Respond. Ready to Serve. Ready for What’s Next. 🚑

#24/72

09/13/2026

Staffing Shortage continues: The city is trying to save a few bucks on the backs of our Brothers and Sisters!

09/09/2026

Change is on the horizon all across Virginia.

09/02/2026