EMS Shift Schedule Calendar

Shift patterns for paramedics and EMTs

• 24/48 Schedule3-day cycle, 56 h a week
• 24/72 Schedule4-day cycle, 42 h a week
• 48/96 Schedule6-day cycle, 56 h a week
• 4 on 4 off Schedule8-day cycle, 42 h a week
• Pitman Schedule14-day cycle, 42 h a week
• Kelly Schedule9-day cycle, 56 h a week

Which overtime rule applies to EMS

Paramedics, EMTs and ambulance personnel employed by a municipal, county or state fire department who are trained in fire suppression and have the authority to fight fires fall under the fire protection rules: overtime after 212 hours in 28 days (29 CFR 553.210(a) and 553.230). Ambulance staff who are an integral part of a public agency's law enforcement activities use the law enforcement standard of 171 hours (29 CFR 553.211(b)). The 7(k) exemption is only for public agencies (29 CFR 553.201), so EMTs and paramedics at private ambulance companies are paid overtime after 40 hours in a workweek.

24-hour shifts and sleep time

On duty periods of 24 hours or more, employer and employee may agree to exclude meal periods and a regular sleeping period of up to 8 hours from hours worked, if the employer provides adequate sleeping facilities and the employee can usually get an uninterrupted night's sleep. Without such an agreement, the sleeping time counts as hours worked (29 CFR 785.22).

Tips

• Choose "All crews" to see which unit or platoon is on each day.
• The calendar file adds each 24-hour shift as an all-day event, so it does not move at daylight saving time.
• Press "Excel" to download the year for your station.

Work out 7(k) overtime for your work period.

Questions