Firefighters: An on-duty Thanksgiving

COMMUNITY: Emergency responders juggle public safety duties, time with loved ones
By Jon Meyer jmeyer@idahopress.com


NAMPA — Having to work a Thanksgiving shift didn’t phase the 19 firefighters on duty at Nampa Station 1 this year.

In fact, they threw a feast and reunion with all their families that might rival what many people see in their homes during the holidays.

“I think my kids might like Thanksgiving at the firehouse more than at home anyway,” 10-year firefighting veteran Kirk Carpenter said with a laugh.

It’s not difficult to see why. A local motorcycle group helped out by dropping off some Thanksgiving goodies. Each family brought a little something to help fill a long table with holiday fare. The firehouse has a big-screen television, soft recliners and a recreational room with more than enough stuff to keep the kids busy.

“We try to get some of the families in here each year so they can get a chance to see Mom or Dad,” Battalion Chief Larry Richardson said.

All the fun can flip with one emergency call though, sending the men and women out on a call and away from those they love.

They try not to let that dampen their spirits, though.

“In some ways it’s nice, but it’s hard when he gets a call in the middle of dinner,” Kirk’s wife, Nicole Carpenter said. “(I) pretty much know he’s going to be gone at some time.

“But hey, I don’t have to clean or cook,” she joked.

The families, like the Carpenters and their five children, get accustomed to the fact that the fire station keeps a full staff every day, even holidays, Richardson said.

“They’re all used to it. They know our calendars. If that’s when you’re scheduled to work, you work,” Richardson said. “Families learn to expect it.”

Before they started eating, some of the crews had already been out on some calls for car accidents and a fire alarm Thanksgiving morning, a quick reminder of the fact that they’re still on duty.

“Sometimes we get a grease fire from someone’s deep-fried turkey ... Sometimes we get depression-related calls. They stretch from about now to Christmas,” Richardson said. “Suicide attempts, or an elderly person will forget to take their (medication), just get depressed and forget.”

The holidays aren’t the only times families feel the crunch of a firefighter’s demanding schedule. Nick Adams was enjoying a day of watching football at the station while his family had Thanksgiving dinner elsewhere, making it tough, but not anything out of the ordinary.

“I’ve got used to it — birthdays, holidays working. You’ll be off the day before or the day after, so it doesn’t interfere too much, Adams said. “I was a firefighter when I had kids, so this is all they know. They love these things. It’s kind of reunion-like for them as well ... We try to relax.”

Whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas, a firefighter’s schedule is demanding and taxing on family life, which is part of the reason that gatherings on the holidays are something they try to do on a regular basis, Chief Richardson said.

“We spend a lot of days away from home; one third of our life is here,” Richardson said. “It is hard on family life. Anything that happens at home, your wife needs help at home ... It’s tough.”