Quick answer: in the Kelly schedule shown here, each platoon works 24 hours, is off 24, works 24, is off 24, works 24, then has 4 days off. That is 3 shifts every 9 days, 56 hours a week on average, for 3 platoons. Departments vary in how they place the Kelly day, so check yours.
Use Find my crew below the calendar if you are not sure which platoon you are.
The Kelly pattern, day by day
One crew, one full 9-day cycle:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 h | Off | 24 h | Off | 24 h | Off | Off | Off | Off |
Kelly 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 63-day repeat | Average overtime per week |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 72, 72, 48, 48, 48, 72, 48, 48, 48 | 16 |
| Day 2 | 48, 72, 48, 48, 48, 72, 72, 48, 48 | 16 |
| Day 3 | 48, 72, 72, 48, 48, 48, 72, 48, 48 | 16 |
| Day 4 | 48, 48, 72, 48, 48, 48, 72, 72, 48 | 16 |
| Day 5 | 48, 48, 72, 72, 48, 48, 48, 72, 48 | 16 |
| Day 6 | 48, 48, 48, 72, 48, 48, 48, 72, 72 | 16 |
| Day 7 | 48, 48, 48, 72, 72, 48, 48, 48, 72 | 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.
Compare the same 56-hour average grouped differently on the 24-hour shift calendar.
Sources: 29 CFR 553.230. Rules checked . Found a problem? Tell us.
Questions
What is a Kelly day?
A scheduled day off added to a 24-hour rotation. In this 9-day version, the long 4-day break after the third shift plays that role.
How many hours is a Kelly schedule?
56 a week on average: 3 shifts x 24 hours every 9 days.