Plant City Insider

Over the course of the recent Florida Strawberry Festival, The Plant City Professional Firefighters Local 2103 took the time to speak out about various issues facing the department. A combination of severe understaffing, low pay, excessive work hours, and high turnover rates has left the department struggling to retain personnel. Most of the information in this article was obtained from the Firefighter’s social media posts. Thank you to the Plant City Firefighters for sharing this information with the public. Below are some of the key points made via social media by the firefighters.

A Leadership Void

One of the most glaring signs of the department’s instability is the loss of its leadership. Currently, only 2 out of 4 Administration Chief positions are filled, as two chiefs have resigned, citing concerns for their health and family well-being. These positions are critical for the operational efficiency of PCFR, and the lack of leadership places an even greater burden on those who remain. When leaders in any organization begin to leave at an alarming rate, it is a clear indication that something needs to be fixed.

A Department Bleeding Talent

Firefighter turnover has reached critical levels, with 36 firefighters leaving the department in recent years to seek better pay and working conditions elsewhere. Given that PCFR is a small department with only 50 personnel, this means that over 50% of its workforce has less than five years of experience.

Experienced firefighters bring invaluable knowledge and skill to emergency situations, and losing them significantly affects the department’s ability to provide efficient and effective services. Firefighters leaving PCFR are finding 10-15% higher salaries and fewer working hours in surrounding departments, making it nearly impossible for Plant City to compete in recruitment and retention.

Retention Issues Affecting Emergency Response Times

The staffing crisis is having a direct impact on emergency response times and service availability. Despite Plant City’s population growing from 30,000 in 2001 to over 40,000 today, the city still only staffs two ambulances—the same number it had over two decades ago.

Recently, the city approved adding a third ambulance, but due to the department’s retention issues, there is no guarantee when it will be staffed full-time. As a result, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue was called for mutual aid 448 times in 2024 because PCFR crews were already handling other emergencies. This reliance on outside assistance is unsustainable and underscores the dire need for increased staffing and resources.

Firefighters Working Exhausting, Dangerous Hours

The staffing shortage has led to mandatory overtime that is taking a serious toll on firefighters. In 2024 alone, PCFR personnel worked 12,050 hours of overtime, equivalent to 500 full shifts. This means that, on average, 1.3 firefighters are working overtime every single day, often disrupting personal and family plans.

Firefighters at PCFR are scheduled for 2,912 hours per year, which is nearly 900 hours more than a standard 40-hour workweek employee. Over a 20-year career, a Plant City firefighter will work 16,640 more hours than a traditional worker—a staggering number. This heavy workload, combined with frequent mandatory overtime, is pushing firefighters to their physical and mental limits.

The Health Risks of Sleep Deprivation and Overwork

Being overworked and sleep-deprived doesn’t just impact morale; it creates serious health and safety risks. Studies show that:

• Being awake for 18 hours straight impairs performance as much as having a 0.05% blood alcohol content (BAC)—the equivalent of driving while buzzed.
• After 24 hours, cognitive function is comparable to a 0.10% BAC, which is legally drunk.
• Chronic sleep deprivation leads to higher risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, and mental health struggles.
• Fatigue reduces focus, coordination, emotional regulation, and reaction time, increasing the likelihood of on-the-job accidents.

When firefighters are forced to work 48-hour shifts, they are essentially responding to life-and-death emergencies in a severely impaired state. This puts both the firefighters and the community at greater risk.

The Financial Struggles of Firefighter Families

Firefighting is a demanding profession, but in Plant City, it also comes with serious financial challenges. Most firefighters’ spouses must work full-time jobs because a PCFR salary alone is not enough to support a family. The only way for a firefighter to make a livable wage is by working 500+ hours of overtime per year, which significantly reduces time spent with family.

Firefighters’ significant others bear a heavy burden, often acting as both parents for one-third of the year while their partner is on duty. They must also be a source of emotional support for firefighters who regularly witness traumatic events. This strain on families is unnecessary and preventable—if wages were fair and work hours were reasonable.

During negotiations between Local 2103 and Plant City officials, the city has emphasized that they will not provide firefighters with raises beyond what they offer other employees. However, with turnover high across multiple departments, it is clear that all city employees deserve better compensation and working conditions.

How to Fix the Problem

If Plant City wants to retain firefighters, attract top talent, and ensure public safety, immediate changes must be made. The solution lies in two key areas:

1. Increase Pay to Competitive Levels – Firefighters should not have to leave the city to earn fair wages. Competitive pay will improve retention, morale, and the department’s ability to recruit experienced personnel.
2. Reduce Work Hours to Sustainable Levels – Overworking firefighters leads to burnout, safety risks, and increased turnover. A shift structure that prioritizes proper rest will result in healthier, more effective emergency responders.

Without these changes, Plant City risks losing even more firefighters, which will further strain emergency services, increase response times, and put the community at risk. Investing in PCFR is an investment in the safety and well-being of every resident.

To the city’s credit, they have made strides in recent months to remedy the situation. In February, the City Commission passed a budget adjustment to add 6 new firefighter paramedics and three new firefighter emergency medical technicians for an annual cost of $857,000. These additions would be to fully staff Fire Station number 3, which was completed about 4 years ago. At the same meeting, the Plant City Police Department was also given a budget increase due to adding 11 new positions and buying 10 new vehicles for an annual cost of $2,000,000.