What is a Kelly schedule?
The Kelly schedule is a nine-day rotation for 24-hour shifts: on, off, on, off, on, then four days off. Three platoons share it, so one platoon is always on duty.
The name is also used for "Kelly days" — extra scheduled days off that departments add to other rotations (most often the 24/48) to keep average hours down. Both ideas come from the same goal: covering the station around the clock without crews working too many hours.
How the Kelly rotation works
The cycle: On, off, on, off, on, then 4 days off — repeats every 9 days.
Each platoon works days 1, 3 and 5 of the nine-day cycle and is off on days 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9. That is three 24-hour shifts every nine days, an average of 56 hours a week.
A useful side effect: you work the same weekday for three weeks running, then have that weekday off for several weeks, which makes it easier to plan regular commitments.
| Platoon | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 24 | 24 | 24 | ||||||
| B | 24 | 24 | 24 | ||||||
| C | 24 | 24 | 24 |
Kelly hours, overtime and days off
| Shift length | 24 hours |
|---|---|
| Cycle length | 9 days |
| Platoons for 24/7 coverage | 3 |
| Hours in a 7-day week | 48 to 72 (depends where the week falls in the cycle) |
| Average hours per week | 56 |
| Hours per year (scheduled) | about 2,920 |
| Shifts per year | about 122 |
| Days off per year | about 243 |
Overtime (FLSA 7(k)): fire departments may use a work period of 7 to 28 days and owe overtime after 212 hours in 28 days (or the same ratio for shorter periods). A Kelly schedules about 224 hours in 28 days, so roughly 12 hours per 28-day period are overtime unless Kelly days or trades reduce the hours. Your contract or state law may pay more. Source: U.S. Department of Labor.
Who uses the Kelly schedule?
- Fire departments, especially in the Midwest and the South
- Departments that want 24-hour shifts with a long break every cycle
Pros and cons
Pros
- A four-day break every nine days
- Never more than 24 hours on duty at a time
- Predictable rhythm once learned
Cons
- Harder to remember than a 24/48
- Still averages 56 hours a week
- The single off days between shifts are short for recovery
Variations
Kelly days on a 24/48: Instead of the 9-day pattern, the department runs a 24/48 and gives each firefighter a scheduled day off at a set interval, for example every seventh shift. This lowers average hours and overtime under FLSA 7(k).
24/48: One shift, two days off, every three days.
Kelly compared with similar rotations
| Rotation | Cycle | Shift | Avg hours/week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelly Schedule | 9 days | 24 h | 56 |
| 24/48 Schedule | 3 days | 24 h | 56 |
| 48/96 Schedule | 6 days | 24 h | 56 |
| 24/72 Schedule | 4 days | 24 h | 42 |
Frequently asked questions
What is a Kelly schedule?
A nine-day firefighter rotation: work 24 hours, off 24, work 24, off 24, work 24, then four days off. Three platoons rotate through it.
What is a Kelly day?
A Kelly day is an extra scheduled day off that a fire department builds into a rotation, usually to keep average weekly hours and FLSA overtime down.
How many hours is a Kelly schedule?
Three 24-hour shifts every nine days, or 56 hours a week on average.
Where does the name Kelly come from?
The most common story credits Chicago Mayor Edward Kelly, whose administration introduced the extra day off in the 1930s or 1940s. Exact origins are disputed.
ShiftRotations is an independent site. Rotations vary between employers and departments — always check your own schedule or contract.