Non-SDS Stations

[AJo1084]

Can someone please clarify what this is, compared to say, 4 days on, 4 days off system which seems to be the norm? 

A quick look online comes up with an alternative to whole time hours for quieter stations but how does it work?

[Carl]

You do not say which FRS so I can only give you what GMFRS SDS means. It simply means "Shift Duty System" which in GMFRS is your 2 2 4. Anything outside of this such as our Day Crewed stations are "Non SDS"

Just as a reminder to everyone that with 45 different FRS's within the UK, its always advisable to use this in your topic so the relevant people can reply. Im guessing some services will be wondering what SDS is also.

[OscarTango]

I imagine you are referring to what's usually called Day Crewing. It's a bit misleading a title as usually those who work it live in the area and respond some of the time on a pager from home (from home to out the station doors in five minutes, much like retained). 

On this sort of duty system you'll end up doing the same amount of hours on station as someone on a shift station, but you'll also be on call. In practice this means you are "on duty" in some capacity more than someone who is purely shift.

That said there are other variations on the theme. Some brigades have a day crewing system of just four, long day shifts (1000 to 2200 in West Mids for example) and four days off.

[AJo1084]

Sorry Carl, 

To be more specific it is GMFRS. On the application it asks if you would be willing to work a non SDS station, and lists a few stations such as Horwich.

[Carl]

Ahh, that will explain it then. We discussed this in a previous thread about Horwich. Basically Horwich and similar are non SDS. Te explain it easier, lets say they start on a Monday. 

• Monday - 0900 - 1800
• Tuesday - 0900 - 1800
• Wednesday 0900 - 1800
• Thursday 0900 - 1800

However they cover via a pager, the times in-between, so from 0900 Monday - 0900 Friday morning they cover Horwich either on duty or via pager (96 hrs). If you turn out at 2am and are out for 3 hours, you simply go on your day shift at 12:00 but are still covering via pager. Its a system that will not suit everyone and this is why its hard to crew. Guys who transfer there have to make a commitment to do at least 3 years. 

In terms increasing your chances of getting in, I dare say willing to work this system will be an advantage. There are no FRS houses at this one. Irlam has houses. 

[AJo1084]

This and your link to the other thread cleared it up nicely thanks Carl. Looks like all those stations are too far away anyways as I live about 2 miles over the border into Merseyside, good info to know though 

[Br9mp81]

2 hours ago, Carl said:

Ahh, that will explain it then. We discussed this in a previous thread about Horwich. Basically Horwich and similar are non SDS. Te explain it easier, lets say they start on a Monday. 

• Monday - 0900 - 1800
• Tuesday - 0900 - 1800
• Wednesday 0900 - 1800
• Thursday 0900 - 1800

However they cover via a pager, the times in-between, so from 0900 Monday - 0900 Friday morning they cover Horwich either on duty or via pager (96 hrs). If you turn out at 2am and are out for 3 hours, you simply go on your day shift at 12:00 but are still covering via pager. Its a system that will not suit everyone and this is why its hard to crew. Guys who transfer there have to make a commitment to do at least 3 years. 

In terms increasing your chances of getting in, I dare say willing to work this system will be an advantage. There are no FRS houses at this one. Irlam has houses. 

Went past Irlam the other week the housing looked half empty and in need of some TLC and as for the bay doors!