Quick answer: on a 48/96 schedule each platoon is on duty for 48 hours (two 24-hour shifts back to back) and then off for 96. That is a 6-day cycle for 3 platoons, 56 hours a week on average, the same as 24/48, with a 4-day break every cycle.
Use Find my crew below the calendar if you are not sure which platoon you are.
The 48/96 pattern, day by day
One crew, one full 6-day cycle:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 h | 24 h | Off | Off | Off | Off |
48/96 hours by workweek
56 hours a week on average; single weeks from 48 to 72. Overtime over 40: 16 to 16 hours a week on average, set by the cycle day the workweek begins.
| Workweek begins on | Hours in each week of the 42-day repeat | Average overtime per week |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 72, 72, 48, 48, 48, 48 | 16 |
| Day 2 | 72, 48, 48, 48, 48, 72 | 16 |
| Day 3 | 48, 48, 48, 48, 72, 72 | 16 |
| Day 4 | 48, 48, 48, 72, 72, 48 | 16 |
| Day 5 | 48, 48, 72, 72, 48, 48 | 16 |
| Day 6 | 48, 72, 72, 48, 48, 48 | 16 |
Public fire departments may instead use the partial overtime exemption in section 7(k) of the FLSA: overtime after 212 hours in a 28-day work period (29 CFR 553.230). This pattern averages 224 hours per 28 days, about 12 hours over that limit.
Comparing with 24/48 or 24/72? Switch between them on the 24-hour shift calendar.
Sources: 29 CFR 553.230. Rules checked . Found a problem? Tell us.
Questions
Is 48/96 better than 24/48?
Same average hours (56 a week) and the same number of shifts. 48/96 trades more consecutive hours at the station for fewer commutes and 4-day breaks instead of 2-day ones.