Kelly Schedule (24-Hour Shifts)
The Kelly schedule is a 24-hour shift pattern used by fire departments: work 24 hours, off 24, work 24, off 24, work 24, then four consecutive days off, repeating every 9 days. Three platoons cover the calendar, and each firefighter averages about 56 hours per week — standard for fire service.
The Kelly schedule is a 24-hour shift pattern used by fire departments: work 24 hours, off 24, work 24, off 24, work 24, then four consecutive days off, repeating every 9 days. Three platoons cover the calendar, and each firefighter averages about 56 hours per week — standard for fire service. Data from BLS + Jobeezy ghost-filter (2026).
### Kelly Schedule (24-Hour Shifts) key facts The Kelly schedule is a 9-day firefighter cycle of 24-hour shifts: on 24, off 24, on 24, off 24, on 24, then 4 straight days off. Averages ~56 hrs/week. - Cycle: 9 days, 3 platoons - Average hours: ~56 hrs/week (fire-service standard)Kelly Schedule (24-Hour Shifts) calendar
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 24-hr | Off | 24-hr | Off | 24-hr | Off | Off |
| Week 2 | Off | Off | 24-hr | Off | 24-hr | Off | 24-hr |
At a glance
| Shift length | 24 hours |
|---|---|
| Cycle | 9 days, 3 platoons |
| Average hours | ~56 hrs/week (fire-service standard) |
Who uses the Kelly schedule?
Fire departments and some EMS agencies; variants (48/96, 3-on-4-off) are common across U.S. fire service.
Pros
- A 4-day break every cycle without PTO
- Only ~10 duty days a month
- Crew continuity — same platoon every tour
Cons
- 24-hour tours mean interrupted sleep on busy calls
- 56-hour average weeks are the norm, not overtime
- Family plans must bend around the 9-day cycle, not the week
Frequently asked questions
- How many days a month do firefighters work on a Kelly schedule?
- Roughly 10 duty days per month — each a 24-hour tour.
- What is a 48/96 schedule?
- A newer fire pattern: 48 hours on (two consecutive 24s), then 96 hours (4 days) off. Same average hours as Kelly, fewer but longer work blocks.
Other shift patterns
- DuPont Schedule
- 2-2-3 Schedule (Pitman / Panama)
- 4-on-4-off Schedule
- 9/80 Schedule
- 4/10 Schedule (Four Tens)
- Southern Swing Schedule
Shift hours at major employers
Want a job on the Kelly schedule? Tell Jobeezy the hours you can work and it applies for you.
Free to start. No resume writing. No cover letters. We handle the search, the filter, and the apply — you just say yes to interviews.
Free on iPhone and Android. You can delete your account in one tap.