Kelly schedule calendar generator (firefighter, 9-day)

How the Kelly (9-day) pattern works

Departments run several versions of the Kelly schedule: the extra day off can fall every ninth day, every three weeks or on another rhythm. This page uses the nine-day version (shift, off, shift, off, shift, then four days off). It has the same average time on duty as 24/48 but packs the time off into a four-day block. If your department's version differs, type it into the custom box.

Also searched for as: Kelly shift schedule, Kelly day schedule, 24 on 24 off 24 on 24 off 24 on 4 off.

The cycle is 9 days long: 1 shift, 1 day off, 1 shift, 1 day off, 1 shift, 4 days off, and then it starts again.

Every crew, day by day

One full cycle for each crew, so you can see who covers what.

The numbers

A year is 365.25 days on average, so the yearly figures are averages; the calendar above counts the exact days of the year you pick.

Good and bad about Kelly (9-day)

In its favour

• A four-day block of time off
• Three platoons still give round-the-clock cover
• Same average hours on duty as 24/48

Against it

• Three shifts within five days
• Versions vary between departments
• 24 hours on duty at a time

Who uses Kelly (9-day)

Used by some fire departments; the name comes from the extra 'Kelly day' off, the origin of which is told in several ways.

Employers run these patterns in slightly different ways, and a union contract or roster can differ from the version here. The grid above is exact for the cycle shown: if your roster differs, choose “My own cycle” in the calendar and type it in.

Other shift patterns

• 24/48 (firefighter)One 24-hour shift, then 48 hours off, on a three-day cycle with three platoons, so one platoon is always on duty.Open
• 48/96 (firefighter)Two 24-hour shifts in a row (48 hours on duty), then four days (96 hours) off, on a six-day cycle with three platoons.Open

All shift patterns and the cycle builder

Frequently asked questions