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911 Dispatcher Shift Schedule Calendar
Emergency communication centers answer calls 24 hours a day, so 911 dispatchers and telecommunicators usually work 12-hour rotations such as the Pitman (2-2-3), Panama, 4 on 4 off or 2 on 2 off, or 8- and 10-hour shifts on fixed days.
Shift patterns for 911 dispatchers
- Pitman Schedule14-day cycle, 42 h a week
- Panama Schedule28-day cycle, 42 h a week
- 4 on 4 off Schedule8-day cycle, 42 h a week
- 2 on 2 off Schedule4-day cycle, 42 h a week
- DuPont Schedule28-day cycle, 42 h a week
Do dispatchers get 7(k) overtime?
Usually not. Civilian dispatchers and radio operators of police and fire departments are expressly left out of the 7(k) rules (29 CFR 553.210(b) and 553.211(g)). They are paid overtime under the standard rule: time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek.
Why weekly hours change on a 12-hour rotation
A 12-hour rotation does not fit the 7-day week, so the number of shifts in a workweek changes: on a Pitman, between two and five (24 to 60 hours). Every hour over 40 in a workweek is overtime under the standard rule; the pay estimate on each calendar counts it week by week for your start date.
Trading shifts in a public agency
If your center is run by a public agency, two dispatchers can swap shifts voluntarily with the agency's approval, and the substitute hours are left out of the overtime count (29 CFR 553.31).
Tips
- Choose "All crews" to see which team is on the floor each day.
- Turn on "Your pay" to see weekly overtime under the standard 40-hour rule for your start date.
- Copy the link to share your schedule with your family.
Figures are worked out from each cycle; rules checked against official sources on . How we calculate
Questions
Which shift schedules do 911 dispatchers work?
Emergency communication centers answer calls 24 hours a day, so 911 dispatchers and telecommunicators usually work 12-hour rotations such as the Pitman (2-2-3), Panama, 4 on 4 off or 2 on 2 off, or 8- and 10-hour shifts on fixed days.
Can I share my schedule with my family?
Yes. Copy the link: it opens the same calendar on any phone, without an account.