Working Thanksgiving just part of the job for St. Joseph firefighters

By Jenna Wilson

One of the busiest days of the year for emergency crews is here and local firefighters are prepared, even if it means time away from their families.

Capt. Jeff Werner is working the Thanksgiving shift and has been with the St. Joseph Fire Department for 14 years. He comes from a military background so he’s familiar with time away from the family but that doesn’t make it easier.

“It’s something you have to get used to, especially your first couple of years,” Werner said. “I came into this career with my wife and two boys who were four years old at the time so it took some talking and some understanding that what I’m doing is for the betterment of the community.”

Each day of the year, even on holidays, all 11 fire trucks have to be fully staffed. In St. Joseph, that takes having 40 firefighters on duty.

“If we have so many guys off that we need to have people with overtime come in, then the guys work overtime and that’s something that they have to be prepared for,” Werner said.

For first responders, it gets tougher than just missing the holidays. Sometimes it can mean working on birthdays and other important life events as well.

“It can pull on your heartstrings a bit but it becomes your new normal,” Werner said. “We just kind of move our celebration of the holiday or any other special occasion as close as we can to that actual day.”

St. Joseph Assistant Fire Chief Jamey McVicker said the department has been fortunate to retain a full staff of firefighters dedicated to the job — even if it comes with nights and holidays away from home.

“It’s part of our interview process with new hires,” McVicker said. “We make sure they know what they’re getting into when they get hired and say, ‘Hey, you’re going to miss holidays and other events with your family so know what you’re getting into,’ but we’ve been blessed and the firemen at our department show up every time.’”

Crews on shift during the holiday at the fire department follow tradition by hosting their own Thanksgiving dinner at the station.

“We’re just as much a family here,” Werner said. “A lot of times, we have families actually come to us and make it a special day here at the firehouse from time to time.”

According to fire officials, Thanksgiving is a peak day for home cooking fires with Christmas Day and Christmas Eve ranked second and third, both having nearly twice the daily average. Firefighters urging residents to pay special attention to safety this holiday season.