Effects of a 24/48 to 48/96 Shift Schedule Change on Firefighter Sleep and Health: Short-Term Improvements and Six-Month Stability

Joel M. Billings () and Sara A. Jahnke
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Joel M. Billings: Department of Emergency, Disaster and Global Security Studies, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA
Sara A. Jahnke: Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, NDRI-USA, Leawood, KS 66224, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: This study examined the impact of a shift schedule change on firefighter sleep and health outcomes ( n = 24). Firefighters from a U.S. department transitioned from a 24 h on, 48 h off (24/48) schedule to a 48 h on, 96 h off (48/96) schedule. Wrist actigraphy and self-reported health outcomes were assessed at three time points: baseline (24/48), 3 months post-transition, and 6 months post-transition. Objective sleep measures included total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), sleep onset latency (SOL), and wake after sleep onset (WASO). Self-reported health outcomes included the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF), and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Linear mixed-effects models (LMMs) with random intercepts were used to evaluate changes over time, adjusting for age, years of service, and individual night-time call volume. Results showed significant improvements in TST, SE, SOL, and WASO at the 3-month follow-up, which were sustained but did not further increase at 6 months. ISI and BDI-II scores also improved, while BAI, MAF, and AUDIT remained stable. These findings suggest that the 48/96 schedule may provide short-term improvements in sleep and psychological health for firefighters in low call-volume settings. Additional research is needed in higher-volume departments and over longer timeframes.

Keywords: firefighter sleep; 24/48; 48/96; shift schedule; call volume (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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