How the 24/48 schedule works
The 24/48 is the simplest firefighter rotation: one 24-hour shift, then two days off, repeating every 3 days. Three platoons, often called A, B and C shift, take turns so one is always on duty.
That means you work every third day: about 121 or 122 shifts a year, averaging 56 hours a week.
Because every shift is followed by exactly two days off, you never have a weekend completely free of work. Your shift always lands on Saturday, Sunday, or starts Friday and runs into Saturday morning. That's why many departments add Kelly days, or switch to 48/96 for longer breaks.
| Platoon | M | T | W |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platoon A | 24 | · | · |
| Platoon B | · | 24 | · |
| Platoon C | · | · | 24 |
24/48 schedule at a glance
- Cycle length
- 3 days
- Shifts per year
- about 122
- Average hours per week
- 56
- Hours in a single week
- 48 to 72
- Weekends fully off per year
- None
- Longest break
- 2 days in a row
- 24-hour shift (typical)
- 7:00 am – 7:00 am (next day)
Calculated from the rotation itself, assuming the cycle starts on a Monday. Your weekends and holidays depend on how your employer lines up the cycle, so set your own date in the calendar above.
Pros and cons
What people like
- Simple, predictable: always every third day.
- Every shift is followed by two full days off.
- Only about 10 shifts a month.
- Easy to trade shifts with coworkers on other platoons.
What's hard
- No breaks longer than 2 days.
- No fully free weekends.
- 56-hour average week.
- The day after a busy shift is often spent recovering.
Who uses the 24/48 schedule
Variations
- 24/48 with a Kelly day
- Every 7th shift off. See the Kelly schedule page.
- 48/96
- Two shifts back to back, then 4 days off. See the 48/96 schedule.
- 24/72
- A 4-platoon version with three days off between shifts. See the 24/72 schedule.
Frequently asked questions
What does 24/48 mean?
24/48 means you work 24 hours straight and then have 48 hours off before your next shift. You work every third day.
How many hours a week is a 24/48 schedule?
An average of 56 hours a week: you work 7 shifts every 21 days, so over three weeks you get two 48-hour weeks and one 72-hour week. That's about 2,920 hours a year.
How many days a year do firefighters work on 24/48?
About 121 or 122 shifts, roughly one-third of the days in the year.
Do you get overtime on 24/48?
Fire departments in the US usually don't use the regular 40-hour overtime rule. Under section 7(k) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, public fire agencies can use a work period of up to 28 days, with overtime starting after 212 hours in a 28-day period (about 53 hours a week). Many departments use Kelly days, extra paid hours or union contract rules to manage this, so check your department's policy or contract.
Do you sleep on a 24-hour shift?
At most fire stations, yes, when there are no calls. Crews usually have bunk rooms and quiet hours overnight. How much sleep you actually get depends on how busy your station is.
This page is general information, not legal or payroll advice. Calendars are for personal planning: confirm your official schedule, pay and overtime with your employer.