Firefighter schedules
Fire departments cover every hour of the year with 24-hour shifts and three or four platoons. Here is how each rotation works — and a free calendar for your platoon.
24/48 Schedule
1 day on (24 hours), 2 days off — repeats every 3 days
56 h/week · 3 platoons
48/96 Schedule
2 days on (48 hours), 4 days off — repeats every 6 days
56 h/week · 3 platoons
Kelly Schedule
On, off, on, off, on, then 4 days off — repeats every 9 days
56 h/week · 3 platoons
24/72 Schedule
1 day on (24 hours), 3 days off — repeats every 4 days
42 h/week · 4 platoons
Make your A/B/C shift calendar
Firefighter rotations compared
| Rotation | Pattern | Platoons | Avg hours/week | Hours per 28 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24/48 Schedule | 1 day on (24 hours), 2 days off | 3 | 56 | 224 |
| 48/96 Schedule | 2 days on (48 hours), 4 days off | 3 | 56 | 224 |
| Kelly Schedule | On, off, on, off, on, then 4 days off | 3 | 56 | 224 |
| 24/72 Schedule | 1 day on (24 hours), 3 days off | 4 | 42 | 168 |
Overtime and the 212-hour rule
Most employees earn overtime after 40 hours in a week. Fire departments can instead use the FLSA 7(k) exemption: they choose a work period between 7 and 28 days and owe overtime only after 212 hours in 28 days (or the same ratio, about 7.57 hours per day, for shorter periods). Three-platoon rotations schedule about 224 hours in 28 days, which is why many departments add Kelly days. Source: U.S. Department of Labor.
Law enforcement uses a different 7(k) limit (171 hours in 28 days) — see police shift schedules.
For unions and departments
Want your platoon calendar on your local's website? Use the free embed under the calendar above — it updates itself each year, has no ads, and members can add their platoon to their phones in one tap. Questions: contact us.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common firefighter schedule?
The 24/48 — one 24-hour shift, then two days off — is the most common in the US. The 48/96 has become popular in western states, and many departments add Kelly days.
What is a typical firefighter schedule like?
A typical career firefighter works 24-hour shifts at the station — sleeping there and responding to calls day and night — then has two or more days off. On a 24/48 that is about 10 shifts a month; on a 48/96, about 5 two-day blocks.
How many hours a week do firefighters work?
Three-platoon rotations (24/48, 48/96, Kelly) average 56 hours a week. Four-platoon rotations such as the 24/72 average 42.
When do firefighters get overtime?
Under the FLSA 7(k) exemption, fire departments owe overtime after 212 hours in a 28-day work period (or the same ratio for periods of 7 to 27 days). Many contracts pay more.
What does A shift, B shift and C shift mean?
They are the three platoons that rotate through the station. On a 24/48, A works one day, B the next, C the next, then A again.
ShiftRotations is independent and not affiliated with any fire department, union or government agency.