Compare firefighter shift patterns
Deciding between two rotations? Put any two of 14 fire, EMS, and general-industry patterns side by side on average work week, annual hours, days off per cycle, and shift length. Then open the shift calculator to build and export the one you pick.
Put two rotations side by side
Choose a rotation for each column. The rhythm bars, average work week, and days off per cycle update instantly, so you can see the real trade-off between two schedules before you commit.
Fire rotations project a full 24-month calendar with FLSA 7(k) and free exports in the shift calculator. General rotations open there as a preview today.
All 14 shift patterns at a glance
Fire and EMS rotations plus the common general-industry patterns, side by side: cycle length, shift length, crew count, average weekly hours, and what each one is typically used for.
| Pattern | Cycle | Shift | Teams | Avg/wk | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
24/48 | 3d | 24h | 3 | 56h | Fire departments, EMS |
48/96 | 6d | 24h | 3 | 56h | Fire departments |
24/72 | 4d | 24h | 4 | 42h | Fire departments (4 platoon) |
3-Platoon swing | 9d | 24h | 3 | 56h | Fire departments |
DuPont | 28d | 12h | 4 | 42h | Chemical plants, factories |
Panama / 2-2-3 / 3-2-2-3 (Pitman) | 14d | 12h | 2 | 42h | Police, manufacturing, healthcare |
4-on-4-off | 8d | 12h | 2 | 42h | Simple operations, security |
Continental (8h 2-2-3) | 28d | 8h | 4 | 42h | Manufacturing, 24/7 operations |
4-on-2-off | 6d | 10h | 3 | 46.7h | Manufacturing, logistics |
3-on-3-off | 6d | 12h | 2 | 42h | Healthcare, security |
7-on-7-off | 14d | 12h | 2 | 42h | Healthcare, EMS, energy |
DDNNOO (2-2-2) | 6d | 12h | 3 | 56h | Manufacturing, public safety |
5-5-4 | 15d | 12h | 3 | 50.4h | Police, corrections, security |
Fixed Days (Mon-Fri) | 7d | 8h | 1 | 40h | Offices, single-crew ops |
Fixed Nights | 7d | 8h | 1 | 40h | Offices, single-crew ops |
Average weekly hours are the annualized base rate for each rotation. Fire rotations (24/48, 48/96, 24/72, 3-platoon) project a full 24-month calendar with FLSA 7(k) and free exports in the builder above.
Questions about comparing rotations
How does the shift pattern comparison work?
Pick any two of the 14 fire, EMS, and general-industry rotations from the two dropdowns and the tool puts them side by side: average work week, shift length, cycle length, team count, on-days and days off per cycle, longest work stretch, and longest break. Nothing to sign up for, and every number updates instantly.
Which is better, 24/48 or 48/96?
Both average about the same hours over a full cycle; the difference is the rhythm. A 24/48 runs one 24-hour tour then two days off, so you are at the station more often but never for long. A 48/96 stacks two 24-hour tours back to back then gives four days off, so you commute less and get longer breaks but work a longer stretch. Compare them here on days off per cycle and longest work stretch to see the trade-off for your crew.
What does a Kelly day change in the comparison?
A Kelly day is a recurring scheduled day off that lowers a rotation's average weekly hours, usually to pull a 24/48 under the FLSA 7(k) overtime cap. It does not change the base shift pattern, so compare the rotations here first, then open the shift calculator to model a Kelly cadence and see the exact hours and FLSA position.
Is the comparison free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free and needs no signup. Compare any two rotations, then open the free shift calculator to project 24 months, check your FLSA 7(k) position, and export the fire rotations to .ics, PDF, or PNG.
Keep planning your rotation
Put your whole rotation on autopilot
RescueShift keeps your shifts, Kelly days, trades, and coverage in one place, synced across your phone and the web. Free for individual firefighters and EMTs.