As I read the article today about the Town of Ocean City wanting to change the Firefighter & Paramedics work schedule. I can help but ask why? I address this as being a resident of Ocean City and of the west side of the bay bridge. I recently retired from Montgomery County Maryland Fire Rescue after almost 35 years and have been a property owner in Ocean City for over 10 years. In my early career we worked numerous shifts covering numerous hour configurations. The reason for the constant reconfiguration of shifts was to try to get more coverage without spending more money. In those times they would change the hours but also reconfigure the number of personnel work specific shifts. Thus trying to get more for nothing. About 25 years ago it was determined that a 24 hour shift would make sense and was adopted. The only time discussion was heard to go back some sort of split shift was during contract negotiations. Many elected officials do not understand the sacrifice their employees make to serve the citizens. When they only see them working every two or three days and they seem to perceive it as someone working an eight hour day. The reality is one shift is equal to working 3 days. They stated the change is needed because they are concerned about fatigue. The station I was assigned to for 26 years was running around 5500 calls a year or an average of 15 calls a day. We have stations that exceed 10000 calls a year. The county ran excess of 115000 calls last year. We did not suffer fatigue issues causing delayed responses. When Firefighters & Paramedics are working a 12 hour shift configuration it can be extremely hard on their families. If both spouses work depending upon the shift configuration you only see your spouse as you pass through the door in the mornings and evenings. It makes it almost impossible to be involved in your Children’s lives as a Coach, or Boy Scout leader because you are committed to being at work on 3 nights where you would have only had to work one night with a 24 hour shift. Working with a 24 hours with the same crew builds crew integrity and professionalism. They learn to work as one which is to the benefit of all those they serve. I know that many think that Firefighters and Paramedics are overpaid and never seem to be a work when they are on a 24 hour shift. Many of the old school think all they do is sit around watch TV and play checkers and sleep. Nothing could be further from the truth. Their training and education is constant and ongoing their entire career to allow them to better serve the citizens. They are expected like any public safety employee to do whatever they have to do to serve and protect. These men and women are there 24/7 365 for the citizens. We should respect their wishes to retain a 24 hour work shift and not use it as a negotiation tool. The Elected officials should treat them with the same respect and professionalism they expect as an elected official. Do not use a 24 hour shift as a benefit because that looks like that is what you are doing. Negotiate fairly and give them the respect to allow them to decide what shift allows them to best serve the town.