My emergency medical service here in Cleveland has about 200 field personnel. We run two shift keys: A & B. Each shift works 12 hours. So, really we have four shifts-A 0700-1900/1900-0700, and B 0700-1900/1900-0700. Two people per squad x 21 squads. That's 42 per shift. Now subtract injuries, vacations, sick calls, recert. class removals, and we end up running short most of the time. The shortages made up with overtime. Plus, extra staffing requirements since 9/11, and now we are really hurting. We lost about five people to active duty. This puts a big strain on our division.
Luckily, so far, the city is holding their jobs for them. It really sucks for these folks, because now they are making less pay than they did prior to being activated.
They have enough going on in their lives being away from family who can't always make ends meet due to the pay cut. Now, they may lose their job and not even know it before it's too late? This sucks.