A rolling brownout is a budgetary tactic where a municipality temporarily shuts down specific fire companies or stations on a rotating basis. By taking an apparatus out of service for a shift, the department avoids paying overtime to cover staffing shortages. This practice increases response times in the affected districts as neighboring units must cover the gaps.
Heard on the job
Response times in the north end jumped this month because Engine 7 was hit by the rolling brownout.
Also heard as
- brownout