Build Your Shift Calendar

First day of your next ON block.

Always verify with your department's official schedule.

📅

Your calendar will appear here

Select a rotation, set your start date, and click Generate Shift Calendar.

What Is a 24/48 Firefighter Schedule?

A 24/48 firefighter schedule means working a 24-hour shift followed by 48 hours off duty. Firefighters work every third day, resulting in approximately 56 hours per week and about 2,912 annual hours. It is the most common rotation in U.S. municipal fire departments.

The 24/48 is popular because the pattern is easy to memorize — if you worked today, your next shift is in two days. Over a year, a firefighter on 24/48 works roughly 10 shifts per month. The extended off-time between shifts allows for second jobs, family time, and recovery — but the 24-hour shift itself demands high sustained alertness.

Cycle length
3 days (1 on, 2 off)
Hours per week
~56 hours
Annual hours
~2,912 hours
Shifts per month
~10 shifts

What Is a 48/96 Firefighter Schedule?

A 48/96 schedule means working two consecutive 24-hour shifts (48 hours on) followed by 96 hours (4 days) off. Like the 24/48, it results in ~56 hours per week and ~2,912 annual hours. The key difference is the longer off-period — firefighters get a 4-day block off after each 2-day work stretch.

The 48/96 is gaining popularity in departments that want to reduce commuting frequency and allow for longer travel during off time. The tradeoff is that the second consecutive 24-hour shift can increase fatigue — departments considering this rotation should evaluate cumulative fatigue protocols per NFPA 1584.

What Is a Kelly Schedule in the Fire Service?

A Kelly schedule (or Kelly Day schedule) is a rotation where firefighters receive one additional day off per cycle to reduce average weekly hours below 56. A common Kelly pattern is 1 on, 2 off, 1 on, 2 off, 1 on, 4 off (11-day cycle), resulting in approximately 42 hours per week and about 2,184 annual hours. Kelly schedules vary significantly between departments.

The "Kelly Day" concept originated in Chicago where it was negotiated into the firefighter contract. The term is now used broadly for any rotation that includes periodic additional days off beyond the standard 24/48 or 48/96 pattern. If your department uses a Kelly schedule, always verify the exact cycle pattern with your union contract or department calendar — there is no single universal Kelly pattern.

Firefighter Rotation Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of the most common U.S. fire service shift rotations.

RotationPatternCycleAvg hrs/weekAnnual hoursBest for
24/481 on, 2 off3 days~56 hrs~2,912Most common; easy to track
48/962 on, 4 off6 days~56 hrs~2,912Longer off-blocks; less commuting
Kelly (common)1,2,1,2,1,411 days~42 hrs~2,184Lower hourly load; varies by dept
24/721 on, 3 off4 days~42 hrs~2,184Smaller departments; rural
Pitman2,2,3,2,2,314 days~42 hrs~2,184EMS & fire hybrid depts

Annual hours assume 24-hour shifts. FLSA Section 207(k) overtime thresholds apply. Always verify your department's official cycle.

Note: Actual work hours, overtime thresholds, and total compensation vary significantly by department CBA, FLSA 207(k) work period, and local staffing rules. Use the Salary by State tool to evaluate full compensation.

How to Import Your Shift Calendar into Google or Apple Calendar

📱 Google Calendar

1
Download the .ics file
Click "iCal (.ics)" above after generating your calendar. Save the file to your device.
2
Open Google Calendar settings
Go to calendar.google.com → Settings (⚙️) → Import & Export.
3
Import the file
Click "Import," select your .ics file, choose which calendar to add it to, and click Import.
4
Verify events
ON duty days will appear as events. Regenerate the .ics and re-import if your schedule changes.

🍎 Apple Calendar

1
Download the .ics file
Generate your calendar and click "iCal (.ics)" to save the file.
2
Open in Apple Calendar
Double-click the .ics file — Apple Calendar opens it automatically on Mac and iOS.
3
Choose a calendar
Select which calendar to add the events to (e.g. "Work" or a new "Shifts" calendar).
4
Tap Add
Confirm the import. Events appear on your schedule. Re-import if your rotation changes.
Tip: Set a repeating annual reminder to regenerate your shift calendar at the start of each year — especially if your department changes the rotation or your Kelly Day cycle shifts. The builder remembers your last settings via the URL.

Firefighter Shift Calendar FAQ

A 24/48 schedule means working a 24-hour shift followed by 48 hours off. Firefighters work every third day — approximately 56 hours per week and 2,912 annual hours. It is the most common rotation in U.S. municipal fire departments.

A 48/96 schedule means two consecutive 24-hour shifts (48 hours on) followed by 96 hours (4 days) off. It produces the same ~56 hours per week as a 24/48, but with longer uninterrupted off-periods after each work stretch.

A Kelly schedule gives firefighters periodic additional days off built into the rotation cycle, reducing average weekly hours. A common Kelly pattern is 1 on, 2 off, 1 on, 2 off, 1 on, 4 off (11-day cycle) — about 42 hours per week. Kelly cycles vary by department contract.

Use the date of your next ON duty day that begins an ON block. The calendar builds the rotation forward from that point. If you are mid-cycle, use the most recent date that started a new ON block.

Yes. Download the .ics file from the calendar builder. In Google Calendar, go to Settings → Import & Export → Import. In Apple Calendar on Mac, double-click the file. In iOS, open the file from Files or Mail and tap "Add All." Regenerate the .ics and re-import if your schedule changes.

No. The builder shows the base rotation pattern only. Trade days, overtime shifts, callbacks, and special assignments are not reflected. Always cross-reference with your department's official posted schedule.

A custom pattern lets you enter any ON/OFF rotation as comma-separated numbers, alternating ON days and OFF days starting with ON. Examples: 1,2 (24/48), 2,4 (48/96), 1,2,1,2,1,4 (Kelly-style). Each number represents consecutive days on or off duty.

On a 24/48 or 48/96 schedule, approximately 2,912 hours per year (~56 hrs/week). On a Kelly or 24/72 schedule, approximately 2,184 hours (~42 hrs/week). These figures affect FLSA overtime calculations — firefighters are covered under Section 207(k), not the standard 40-hour overtime threshold.
Planning tool only. Always follow your department's SOP/SOG and official posted schedule. Editorial policy · Our authors