Significant Number of Overtime Hours in One Year Leads the Raliegh Firefighters Association to Call for Some Relief

In fiscal year 2025, Raleigh, North Carolina, firefighters worked 117,670.70 hours of overtime which resulted in a total of $4,839,635.19 spent on firefighter overtime. Not surprising, this is more than any other city department. According to the Raleigh Professional Firefighters Association, these numbers are not only “eye-catching” but are also a solid indicator of a chronic staffing problem. Most importantly, the association is highlighting the emotional and physical toll these additional work hours take on both the firefighters and their families.

According to the association, the department only has 23 vacant positions out of a total of 553 budgeted positions. However, the real issue lies with the fact that the department has not grown in over 10 years, despite significant increase in both population and demand for services. The association estimates that an additional 200 firefighters would be needed to keep pace with the current demand for services. According to city officials, nearly 1,200 people have applied for the upcoming training academy, which is scheduled to start in February 2026.  

Here is more on this story from WRAL News.