2. The oncoming crew waits until everyone for that shift is at the station, he/she notifies the Incident Commander who will arrange for pickup and change over. These are typically large defensive fires that just take a lot of water and time... not super taxing physically until it's over.
3. We call additional resources from surrounding stations. Our dispatch system is actually really good, coupled with super professional dispatchers.
4. We do have flexibility. I posted the ideal day... at busy stations you generally don't eat much and don't sleep at all. If you are running 20 calls a shift and each one takes 30 minutes minimum... well, your day is long.
5. Yeah, we try to improve all the time. However, change can introduce cataclysmic push back from "seasoned" fire/ems guys and gals. Ideas are constantly evaluated and judged. You need to have thick skin if you put forth a new idea... it is somewhat of a game to give each other a very hard time.