24/48 schedule template (fire and EMS)

A 24/48 schedule is the shift pattern many fire departments and EMS crews work: 24 hours on duty, then 48 hours off. Three platoons (A, B and C) take turns, so each works every third day, about 56 hours a week on average.

The schedule redraws with your dates.

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Updated

24/48 platoon schedule

16 November – 13 December 2026 · repeats every 3 days · 24-hour shift, 8am–8am

  • AA shift
  • BB shift
  • CC shift

16–29 November

TeamMo16Tu17We18Th19Fr20Sa21Su22Mo23Tu24We25Th26Fr27Sa28Su29
A shift24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOff
B shiftOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8am
C shiftOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff

30 November – 13 December

TeamMo30Tu1We2Th3Fr4Sa5Su6Mo7Tu8We9Th10Fr11Sa12Su13
A shiftOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8am
B shiftOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff
C shift24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff24-hour shift, 8am–8amOff

Pick a dayDetails below

Monday16

  • A shift8am–8am24-hour shift

Off: B shift, C shift

Tuesday17

  • B shift8am–8am24-hour shift

Off: A shift, C shift

Wednesday18

  • C shift8am–8am24-hour shift

Off: A shift, B shift

Thursday19

  • A shift8am–8am24-hour shift

Off: B shift, C shift

Friday20

  • B shift8am–8am24-hour shift

Off: A shift, C shift

Saturday21

  • C shift8am–8am24-hour shift

Off: A shift, B shift

Sunday22

  • A shift8am–8am24-hour shift

Off: B shift, C shift

The four weeks

16 NovMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
A shiftA24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffA24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffA24-hour shift, 8am–8am
B shiftOffB24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffB24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff
C shiftOffOffC24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffC24-hour shift, 8am–8amOff
23 NovMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
A shiftOffOffA24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffA24-hour shift, 8am–8amOff
B shiftB24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffB24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffB24-hour shift, 8am–8am
C shiftOffC24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffC24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff
30 NovMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
A shiftOffA24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffA24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff
B shiftOffOffB24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffB24-hour shift, 8am–8amOff
C shiftC24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffC24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffC24-hour shift, 8am–8am
7 DecMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
A shiftA24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffA24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffA24-hour shift, 8am–8am
B shiftOffB24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffB24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOff
C shiftOffOffC24-hour shift, 8am–8amOffOffC24-hour shift, 8am–8amOff
3 teamsMade with Schedule Gizmo

At a glance

Cycle
3 days, then it repeats
Platoons
3 (A, B and C)
Shift length
24 hours
Shifts a year
About 122
Average week
56 hours
Off between shifts
48 hours

The 3-day pattern

S is a 24-hour shift starting at 8am; a dash is a day off. One platoon is on duty every day, and each platoon works every third day.

24/48 schedule: 3 teams over a 3-day cycle
TeamDay 1Day 2Day 3
A shiftS––
B shift–S–
C shift––S

Why teams choose it, and what to watch

Why teams choose it

  • Two full days off after every shift.
  • Fewer commutes: about 122 shifts a year.
  • Crews stay together, which suits fire and EMS work.

What to watch

  • Long weeks: 56 hours on average, often reduced with Kelly days.
  • A busy 24-hour shift leaves little rest.
  • Check your department's rules on overtime and rest.

Make it yours

  • Set the first day of your cycle.
  • Rename the teams, or list people instead.
  • Change the shift times on the shifts line.
  • Share one link: everyone sees the next four weeks.

Or paste these lines into the maker, or ask ChatGPT or Claude to write them for you.

start: 2026-11-16
shifts: S=24-hour shift 8am-8am
A shift: S - -
B shift: - S -
C shift: - - S

Questions

What is a 24/48 schedule?

Each crew works a 24-hour shift, then has 48 hours off. Three platoons rotate so one is always on duty.

How many hours a week is a 24/48?

About 56 hours on average, since each platoon works one day in three.

What is a Kelly day?

An extra scheduled day off that some departments add to bring the average week below 56 hours. Add it in the maker as a day off in the pattern.

24/48 or 48/96?

A 48/96 works two 24-hour shifts in a row, then four days off. It has the same average hours with fewer handovers but longer stretches on duty.

Related

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