Polk County Firefighters Union Agreement Adds Fourth Shift, Heads to Ratification Vote
Polk County firefighters will drop from a 56-hour workweek to a 42-hour workweek under a new three-year labor contract that now needs ratification to take effect.
County officials met Sept. 30 with representatives of the Polk County Professional Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 3531 to discuss the agreement, which includes terms to add a fourth shift no later than Oct. 1, 2027, according to Polk County Government.
The contract covers firefighters from entry-level positions through battalion chiefs. If members and the Polk County Board of County Commissioners both ratify it, it will remain in effect through Sept. 30, 2029.
The D-Shift Rotation
Polk County Fire Rescue currently runs the traditional three-shift rotation, labeled A, B and C, built around a 56-hour workweek. Firefighters work 24 hours on duty followed by 48 hours off.
Adding the fourth shift, or D-shift, changes the schedule considerably. Firefighters would work 24 hours on duty, followed by 72 hours off, which brings the workweek down to 42 hours.
Fire Chief Shawn Smith said the extra shift is about recovery time.
“I think the addition of the fourth shift, D-shift, will improve the work-life balance for our members. It gives them more recovery time off and is a boost for the morale and culture of our department,” Smith said.
Deputy County Manager Ryan Taylor framed the deal as good for both sides of the table.
“I’m very pleased with the outcome of the negotiations. This agreement is a win-win for both sides and positions Polk County as a leader in fire services while reinforcing our commitment to our firefighters and the residents we serve,” Taylor said.
Who the Agreement Covers
The three-year agreement covers classifications from entry-level firefighter through battalion chief. The county’s announcement addresses shift structure, the term of the contract, and the classifications covered. It does not lay out pay terms.
A four-shift schedule is as much a staffing question as a scheduling one, since the same stations and apparatus must be covered around the clock. The county set Oct. 1, 2027, as the outside date for putting D-shift in place, leaving a year of lead time after the contract term begins.
What Happens Next
The agreement is not final. It requires ratification by Local 3531 members and by the Board of County Commissioners. The county has not announced dates for either vote.
Until both votes happen, the current three-shift schedule and 56-hour workweek stay in place for Polk County Fire Rescue crews, who answer calls across the county’s unincorporated areas and in cities that contract for county fire service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in the new Polk County firefighters union agreement?
It is a three-year collective bargaining agreement between Polk County and the Polk County Professional Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 3531. Its central change is the addition of a fourth shift, which would move firefighters from a 56-hour workweek to a 42-hour workweek. If ratified, it runs through Sept. 30, 2029.
When would the fourth shift start for Polk County Fire Rescue?
The agreement sets the fourth shift, known as D-shift, to take effect no later than Oct. 1, 2027.
How many hours do Polk County firefighters work now, and what would change?
Polk County firefighters currently work a 56-hour week on a three-shift rotation of 24 hours on duty followed by 48 hours off. With a fourth shift added, they would work 24 hours on duty followed by 72 hours off, for a 42-hour week.
Does the agreement include a pay raise?
Polk County’s Sept. 30 announcement does not state pay terms. It addresses the shift structure, the length of the agreement and the job classifications covered, which run from entry-level firefighter through battalion chief.
Who has to approve the agreement before it takes effect?
Two votes are required. The agreement must be ratified by Local 3531 members and by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners. The county has not announced dates for either vote.
Sources: “Polk County, Firefighters Union Agreement Heads to Vote,” Polk County Government, polkfl.gov, Sept. 30, 2026.
