The 24/48 schedule is one of the most underrated parts of this job. Work a day, get two off. Over a month, that’s roughly 20 days you’re not at the station. Plenty of firefighters spend that time fishing or catching up on sleep. Plenty of others spend it building a second income.
This isn’t new. The fire service has always had a side-business culture. Part of it is money – a single income doesn’t always stretch as far as a family needs. Part of it is wiring; the same person who runs toward problems tends to want to build something of their own. Either way, if you’re getting into this career, understand that the schedule hands you something rare: large blocks of weekday time most people never get. Used right, that time is an asset.
Here are five businesses firefighters run well, and why they fit the life.
1. Distribution and delivery routes (DSD)
Direct store delivery is one of the best-kept secrets in the firehouse. You buy or build a route – snacks, beverages, bread, whatever moves – and you service a set list of stores on a set schedule. It rewards exactly what this job already drilled into you: show up on time, work the checklist, handle people, and grind it out. Canyon Distribution LLC is one example of the model. The appeal is that the work is predictable and it scales. Once a route runs itself, you add another or hire help to cover it on your shift days.
A great interview about this type of business ion Chris Koener’s tube channel, check it out here.
2. The trades and contracting
Electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, carpenters, general handymen. A big share of firefighters come into the service already holding a trade, or pick one up along the way. The skills overlap – you’re comfortable with tools, problem-solving, and hard physical work. On your days off you can run jobs, and a lot of guys eventually build it into a licensed business with a crew of their own.
3. Lawn care, landscaping, and snow removal
Low barrier to entry, flexible, and seasonal in a way that fits the schedule. Start with a truck, a trailer, and a mower. Snow removal in particular pairs well with shift work – storms don’t care about your calendar, and the pay per hour is strong when the weather hits. Plenty of firefighters have turned a few summer lawns into a real operation with employees.
4. Real estate
This shows up two ways. Some firefighters get licensed and sell on their off days. Others buy rental property or flip houses, using the trade skills above to keep renovation costs down. The long stretches of off-time make showings, repairs, and property management workable in a way a 9-to-5 never allows. It’s also a long game – it builds wealth for the back half of a career and into retirement, when the body stops cooperating the way it used to.
5. Fitness and personal training
You’re already expected to stay in shape, so some firefighters turn that into income. Personal training, strength coaching, even owning a gym. The credibility is built in – people trust a firefighter to know what real fitness under stress actually looks like. The bonus is that it keeps you sharp for the job itself, which matters more than the side money ever will.
A few honest words before you jump in
A side business is a real commitment, not a hobby. It will eat into the rest you need, and this job already takes plenty from your body and your family. Be straight with yourself about that going in. Check your department’s policy and your union contract too – some have rules about outside employment, conflicts of interest, and working a second job while you’re on injury leave. And never let the side gig pull focus from the work that pays your pension.
Used right, though, the schedule is an advantage few careers offer. The firefighters who build something on their off days tend to retire with options instead of regrets. Pick something that fits your skills, start small, and let it grow on the days you’re not riding out.