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Fire & Emergency Shift Preset

Compare: 24/48 Shift Schedule →

48/96 Shift Calendar Generator

Generate and preview the complete 48/96 firefighter shift schedule (48 hours on duty, 96 hours off duty). Visualize 3-platoon rotations for 2026 and 2027 and export directly to Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, or CSV.

Cycle Length

6 Days

2 Days ON / 4 Days OFF

Annual Commutes

~61 Trips

50% fewer drives than 24/48

Guaranteed Rest

96 Hours

4 continuous days off

Average Workweek

56 Hours

FLSA 7(k) eligible

1

Configure schedule

Set the first day, date range, and labels for this pattern.

Upcoming events

The first 20 generated rows are shown here before export.

DateLabelType
2026-05-1024-hour shift (Day 1)Work
2026-05-1124-hour shift (Day 2)Work
2026-05-1624-hour shift (Day 1)Work
2026-05-1724-hour shift (Day 2)Work
2026-05-2224-hour shift (Day 1)Work
2026-05-2324-hour shift (Day 2)Work
2026-05-2824-hour shift (Day 1)Work
2026-05-2924-hour shift (Day 2)Work
2026-06-0324-hour shift (Day 1)Work
2026-06-0424-hour shift (Day 2)Work
2026-06-0924-hour shift (Day 1)Work
2026-06-1024-hour shift (Day 2)Work
2026-06-1524-hour shift (Day 1)Work
2026-06-1624-hour shift (Day 2)Work
2026-06-2124-hour shift (Day 1)Work
2026-06-2224-hour shift (Day 2)Work
2026-06-2724-hour shift (Day 1)Work
2026-06-2824-hour shift (Day 2)Work
2026-07-0324-hour shift (Day 1)Work
2026-07-0424-hour shift (Day 2)Work

1. Understanding the 48/96 Firefighter Duty Rotation

The 48/96 shift schedule has rapidly gained popularity among municipal and wildland fire departments across the United States. Rather than reporting to the station every third day (as in the traditional 24/48 schedule), firefighters complete two back-to-back 24-hour shifts (48 hours total) and are then relieved for four consecutive full days (96 hours total).

Because the cycle is exactly six days long, duty days advance by one day earlier each calendar week. This predictable movement ensures that weekend duty and holiday obligations are distributed equitably across all three platoons.

Single Platoon 6-Day Sequence:

Day 1 24h Duty (Shift 1)
Day 2 24h Duty (Shift 2)
Day 3 Off Duty (96h Rest)
Day 4 Off Duty
Day 5 Off Duty
Day 6 Off Duty

2. Complete Three-Platoon (A, B, C) Staffing Matrix

To maintain 24/7/365 apparatus readiness without service gaps, the department assigns all frontline personnel to one of three rotating platoons:

Platoon Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8
Platoon A 24 ON 24 ON OFF OFF OFF OFF 24 ON 24 ON
Platoon B OFF OFF 24 ON 24 ON OFF OFF OFF OFF
Platoon C OFF OFF OFF OFF 24 ON 24 ON OFF OFF

3. 48/96 vs. 24/48: Head-to-Head Comparison

Metric 48/96 Schedule 24/48 Schedule Impact / Advantage
Consecutive Rest Days 4 Days (96 Hours) 2 Days (48 Hours) 48/96 allows true physiological circadian recovery
Annual Station Commutes ~61 Drives / Year ~122 Drives / Year Cuts fuel expenses and highway risk in half
Total Duty Hours / Year 2,920 Hours (Avg 56h/wk) 2,920 Hours (Avg 56h/wk) Equal workload and payroll cost for the city
Night 2 Fatigue Risk Moderate on high-call nights Low (only 1 night on) Requires station nap discipline on Day 2

Frequently asked questions

What is a 48/96 shift schedule and who uses it?
A 48/96 shift schedule is a continuous duty rotation utilized primarily by professional municipal and federal fire departments. Firefighters work two consecutive 24-hour shifts (48 hours total on duty) followed immediately by four consecutive days (96 hours total) off duty. The pattern repeats precisely every six calendar days.
Why are fire departments switching from 24/48 to 48/96?
The 48/96 schedule reduces annual station commutes by 50% (from ~122 trips per year under 24/48 to just ~61 trips under 48/96). Crucially, it provides a guaranteed 4-day mini vacation (96 continuous hours off) after every single shift block, allowing firefighters to recover physiologically from acute sleep debt and spend uninterrupted quality time with family.
How many total hours does a firefighter work per week on 48/96?
Because a firefighter works 48 hours every 6 days, the math equals (48 / 6) * 7 = exactly 56 hours per calendar week. This totals approximately 2,920 duty hours across ~121.7 shifts annually—identical to the total annual hours worked on a traditional 24/48 rotation.
How does the 3-platoon system work on a 48/96 rotation?
The department divides all station personnel into three equal platoons (Shift A, Shift B, and Shift C). Over a 6-day cycle: Days 1–2 are worked by Shift A (B and C are off), Days 3–4 are worked by Shift B (A and C are off), and Days 5–6 are worked by Shift C (A and B are off). On Day 7, Shift A returns to begin the next cycle.
How does overtime work under FLSA Section 7(k) for 48/96 shifts?
Firefighters are governed by the special public safety overtime provisions of FLSA Section 7(k). Rather than a standard 40-hour week, municipal departments assess overtime over a statutory work period of up to 28 days. Over 28 days, statutory overtime applies to any hours worked exceeding 212 hours (an average of 53 hours per week).
Can I export this 48/96 schedule to Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook?
Yes. Select your platoon's Day 1 start date in the generator above and click 'Download .ICS'. You can import the resulting calendar feed directly into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook on your phone or computer.