EOWEO / Kelly Shift Calculator
How Does the EOWEO / Kelly Shift Schedule Work?
The EOWEO schedule — Every Other Weekend Off — is a 10-day rotating shift pattern used primarily in fire and rescue services, though variants appear in police and ambulance services as well. It is also commonly known as the Kelly schedule. Five teams (or "watches") rotate through the cycle so that 24-hour coverage is always maintained.
Each team follows this 10-day sequence: On, On, Off, On, On, Off, Off, Off, Off, Off. Written out, that is 2 days working, 1 day off, 2 days working, then 5 days off before the cycle repeats. Shifts are typically 10 hours, running from morning to early evening.
The defining characteristic of the pattern — and the source of its EOWEO name — is that the 5-day off block and the way it interacts with the calendar means workers get approximately every other weekend free. The exact pattern of which weekends are off depends on which of the five teams (A through E) you belong to and the cycle start date.
With 4 working days out of every 10, the average weekly hours work out to approximately 28 hours per week on a strict 10-hour shift basis. However, many fire and rescue services in the UK run the EOWEO pattern with additional overtime, standby commitments, or extended shift hours, so your actual contracted hours may differ. Check your specific station's rota for the exact arrangement.
The long 5-day off block makes the pattern appealing for fire service personnel who want extended time with family, to pursue other interests, or to work a secondary job. The two 2-day working blocks within the 10-day cycle are close enough together that maintaining operational readiness and team cohesion is straightforward.
For bank holidays, the fire service works through all public holidays — Christmas, New Year, and bank holidays are staffed just like any other day. The date checker in the sidebar above lets you see instantly whether any upcoming date falls on your working days or rest days.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select the EOWEO / Kelly card — it should already be highlighted on this page. Choose your watch letter (A, B, C, D, or E) from the team selector. The EOWEO is one of the few patterns on this site that uses five teams rather than four.
- Enter your cycle start date — this is the first day of your current 10-day Kelly cycle. If you are not sure, ask your watch manager or check your station rota system. The exact start date matters for accurate weekend calculations.
- Click "Show my 12-month calendar" — your full year will appear. Working days appear in blue, rest days in grey. Bank holidays are flagged automatically for your selected country. Use the "upcoming" panel to see your next rest period and any full weekends off coming up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does EOWEO stand for?
EOWEO stands for Every Other Weekend Off. It describes the key benefit of the schedule — roughly alternating weekends free. The pattern is also widely known as the Kelly schedule, named after the person credited with popularising it in emergency services scheduling.
How does the Kelly shift schedule work?
The Kelly schedule runs on a 10-day cycle with five teams. Each team's sequence is: On-On-Off-On-On-Off-Off-Off-Off-Off. That gives 4 working days and 6 rest days per 10-day cycle. Five teams rotate through simultaneously to ensure 24/7 coverage.
How many hours a week is the EOWEO / Kelly schedule?
On the standard Kelly schedule with 10-hour shifts and 4 working days per 10-day cycle, the average is 40 hours per 10 days or roughly 28 hours per calendar week. In practice, many fire service rotas include additional duties, extended shifts, or overtime commitments that increase the total — confirm with your station's rota.
Which services use the EOWEO / Kelly schedule?
The EOWEO/Kelly schedule is most common in UK and North American fire and rescue services, and in some US police departments. UK fire brigades that use it include several metropolitan fire and rescue services. Some ambulance trusts use modified variants of the pattern.
Do I get Christmas off on the Kelly schedule?
Emergency services operate on all public holidays, so Christmas is staffed the same as any other day. Whether you are working on 25 December depends on your watch and your cycle start date. Enter 25 December in the date checker above for an instant answer.
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