LIMA — On Christmas Day, it would be easy to think that the world slows down a little around us as families spend time with loved ones.
However, as medical personnel and those in safety service fields know, they need to be ready to be for assistance should the most wonderful time of the year turn into a nightmare.
“It happens to anyone who works in public safety, including hospitals and things like that,” said Lt. Andy Green of the Lima Police Department. “It’s a 24/7 operation, and unfortunately, people still need police assistance on holidays, weekends and in the middle of the night.”
For Bath Township Fire Department Platoon Chief Jared Jenkins and others in these fields, sacrificing holidays is simply part of the package when you sign up for the work.
“You sign up for this job and you know what it entails, so you know you’re going to miss holidays, birthdays, et cetera,” he said. “So you come into it aware of that. But nevertheless, it’s still not easy missing family events.”
On the other side, for families of first responders and medical personnel, they also have to be willing to accept the situation, rescheduling celebrations around that person’s work schedule.
“Speaking for my family, up until two years or so ago, I probably missed 90 percent of Christmases,” Green said. “But my family was always very supportive of it. We know the schedule well in advance, so it’s not a surprise. You have time to plan for it.”
Firefighters in the Ottawa Fire Department have a slightly different experience, being a volunteer department. They keep pagers with them, which can alert them of an emergency. While this allows them to be at home during a holiday, they have to be constantly ready to leave immediately should the need arise.
“When you’re opening presents, you can almost forget it’s there,” Chief Dan Rieman said. “Plus, you have to consider the circumstances. I wouldn’t have as many guys respond for a lift assist as I would for a structure fire.”
For police officers and firefighters who have to remain in house during Christmas, however, there are still opportunities to celebrate, even at the station.
“We’ll have a big meal at the fire station,” Jenkins said, “provided we don’t get a call, of course.”
“There are still celebrations, even at the station,” Green said. “We’ll usually have a carry-in, and members of the community are often bringing in pizza, cookies or whatever. It’s not a good time of year to be on a diet.”
It can be hard to remain in a festive mood, however, when you are trying to help people at their worst moments.
“Even on Christmas Day, unfortunately, there will be situations like domestic violence,” Green said. “Officers will go out on those calls and see people at their worst. The majority of people we deal with on a daily basis are having the worst day of their lives. But we have some very professional officers here, and they do an outstanding job.”
In the end, for many in these positions, what they do is a calling, not a job, as they see it, and working the holidays is just another part of their service.
“We’re always here and we love what we do,” Jenkins said. “We’re honored to be a part of the community and doing what we do.”
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