How the 24/72 schedule works
You work 24 hours, then have 72 hours off, so you're on every fourth day. Four platoons rotate so one is always on duty.
That averages 42 hours a week, much less than the 56 of 24/48, at the cost of needing a fourth platoon. It's common in EMS and in fire departments that have moved to four platoons.
Because you work every fourth day, your shifts land one day later each week: Monday and Friday one week, Tuesday and Saturday the next, then Wednesday and Sunday, and so on. Weekends and holidays rotate evenly among the four platoons over the year.
| Platoon | M | T | W | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platoon A | 24 | · | · | · |
| Platoon B | · | 24 | · | · |
| Platoon C | · | · | 24 | · |
| Platoon D | · | · | · | 24 |
24/72 schedule at a glance
- Cycle length
- 4 days
- Shifts per year
- about 91
- Average hours per week
- 42
- Hours in a single week
- 24 to 48
- Weekends fully off per year
- about 13 of 52
- Longest break
- 3 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.
Why departments switch to four platoons
Moving from three platoons on 24/48 to four on 24/72 cuts average hours from about 56 to about 42 a week, so every 24-hour shift is followed by three days to rest and recover. Departments that make the change usually cite fatigue, recruitment and retention.
The cost is staffing: covering the same stations with four platoons instead of three takes about a third more people. Pay is often reorganized at the same time, since each firefighter works fewer hours. Some departments phase the change in, or use a Kelly day on a three-platoon schedule as a middle step.
24/72 in EMS
Ambulance services with 24-hour units often run 24/72, especially in rural and suburban areas where crews can rest between calls. Busy urban units are more likely to use 12-hour shifts such as Pitman or 4 on 4 off, because 24 hours of constant calls is unsafe.
Pros and cons
What people like
- Three full days off after every shift.
- About 42 hours a week on average.
- Only 7 or 8 shifts a month.
- Simple, predictable rhythm.
What's hard
- 24-hour shifts are long.
- The organization needs four platoons, which costs more.
- Weekends off move around.
Who uses the 24/72 schedule
Variations
- 24/72 (4 platoons)
- One shift every fourth day. This page's calendar.
- 24/48 (3 platoons)
- One shift every third day, about 56 hours a week. See 24/48.
- 48/96 (3 platoons)
- Two shifts back to back, then 4 days off. See 48/96.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 24/72 schedule?
A 24/72 schedule means working one 24-hour shift and then having 72 hours (3 days) off. You work every fourth day, with four platoons sharing the coverage.
How many hours a week is 24/72?
About 42 hours on average, about 91 or 92 shifts a year.
Is 24/72 common for firefighters?
It's less common than 24/48 or Kelly in the US, but a growing number of departments use four platoons to reduce hours and fatigue. It's also popular in EMS.
How many weekends off do you get on 24/72?
Because the 4-day cycle moves through the week, about a quarter of weekends are completely free for each platoon. The calendar's stats show your exact count for any year.
Do you get overtime on 24/72?
Usually less than on 24/48, because the average week is about 42 hours. Fire agencies can use the longer work periods allowed under section 7(k) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, so whether any hours count as overtime depends on your department's work period and contract.
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.