My old department was on a 24/72 schedule. It was pretty good but still had issues. Shift work just breaks you down, period.

So believe it or not, there is a schedule that allows for that. Its called the Kelly Schedule or California Roll. Its a 9-day cycle that goes like this: on 24/off 24/on 24/off 24/on 24/off 96. Reduces the 56 hr week to 42 hrs and every 3rd week you get a Kelly Day, which is an extra day off. There are several fire departments that use it, most notably Detroit Fire Department in Detroit, Michigan.

3 shifts vs 4 shifts. It’s cheaper for the city to have 3 shifts then 4

Most guys I know that work it that worked 2448 before changing said they love 4896 much more family time

48/96 becomes a big problem for busy houses. What happens when you only get an hour or 2 of sleep on the 1st 24 hours? Now you're rolling into another 24 hours with barely any sleep, which is a major safety issue for the driver and firefighters. Will admin let you sleep in on your 2nd 24 hour shift? I doubt it. Imo and from many studies, the 24/72 schedule is best for firefighters health. Any schedule with a hell week (24on/24off) is also trash for your health, which is what my dept works (Richmond schedule).

EMT here. I much prefer 48's, and even 72 hour shifts. Being able to stay at the station for a continuous period of time, sleep in, and be done with it for the week is incredibly nice. If you're at a super busy station it sucks, but it's amazing at a slow station

@@Tommymad1yea exactly. Slow stations will love it not fun for everyone else

It's better I promise.

And?

Um how many fire departments only run fires nowadays?

Like the majority of paid suburban fire depts....

Well you typically aren't up the entire time, you often have down time between calls. One station I worked at we totaled about 5,000 calls per year on the Engine, or an average of roughly 14 runs per 24 hour shift. You may do 4-5 calls in a row and then be down for hours, during which time you catch some sleep, do station chores, train, etc. Some days you may make a run then get back and crash for an hour or to until you get toned out again, that may go on all day/night. Which is why the busiest stations typically get the young guys who can stay safe and productive working like that. As get get on in their career they start putting in for the slower stations that might only make 5-6 runs in 24 hours. And for the really lucky ones you might get a station that make only 1-2 runs per day, those are for the guys running out the clock to retirement. You also have to remember that many FD's today are running medical calls with their Engines & Trucks as well, which are far easier than working a structure fire and shorter as well.

@virgilhilts3924 I worked 25/48s for 34 years, and it was fine Now going to 48hrs on only tells me that the last 24 is going to be a very long 24. They could be up for 48 hours under this schedule, not very likely, but possible.

@@thenussbaum44 The 48/96 is one of the most common schedules in the fire service and has been working perfectly fine.

@@virgilhilts3924 How many do the 24/48 vs the 48/96 in this country?

You don't understand that ffs aren't awake for 48 hours straight? Lol, my god

Hey Buttons, thanks for keeping me honest. The folks at Roswell FD told us they were the first station in Georgia to adopt the 48/96 schedule for all full time service men and women. On the Haralson County Website it says that the Battalion Chief operates on a 48/96, but does not clarify on the rest of service personnel. Never intend to spread “fake news”. Always looking to deliver timely and digestible coverage.

@@BishopArthurMarshall EVERY fire dept will tell you they "were the first to do X". When pushed for details there will be none and it ends ups being an ego thing.