The Los Angeles Fire Department has 114 stations across the city and provides services to more than 4 million people in diverse areas ranging from urban landscapes to natural land. (Photo by Emery Davis/Cronkite News)
LOS ANGELES – With the holiday season rapidly approaching, many are preparing for feasts, gift giving, activities and festive decoration. But how do first responders on duty during this time celebrate, cope and give back?
Andrew Dowd, public information officer for Ventura County Fire Department, said because the firehouse is like a second home to many firefighters, the holiday season is a time for those on duty to celebrate like one big family.
“Because of the nature of our jobs and the fact that we have to work on holidays, we don’t always get the opportunity to be with our families, and so a lot of times families will actually come to the firehouse,” Dowd said.
He said one year when he was one of just three firefighters on duty, their Thanksgiving feast had more than 20 people in attendance with all the family that showed up.
“We really promote a culture of family in the fire service, and that, I think, is reflected in what we try to do to celebrate those holidays,” Dowd said.
During the holiday season, support systems for first responders are especially important. Holiday activities, cooking and increased heat use during colder months bring more emergency calls.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, the three leading dates for home fires caused by cooking were Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
One organization that provides relief to firefighters is the Fire Family Foundation. Dixie Abramian, chair of the foundation’s board of directors, explained its contributions to support firefighters and their families.
“During the holiday season, the Fire Family Foundation focuses on supporting families facing unexpected hardships, ensuring they feel cared for during what can be a challenging time,” Abramian said in an email. “It’s all about finding ways to bring hope and support to firefighters and their loved ones when they need it most.”
Beyond the foundation’s work, Abramian highlighted ways the broader community can contribute to high morale while first responders remain on call during the festive season.
“Simple acts like volunteering for community events hosted by a fire department, stopping by the station to say thank you, or supporting organizations like the Fire Family Foundation can make a big impact,” Abramian said.
AM Health Care is an organization dedicated to helping individuals cope with mental health and addiction struggles. After Action, its program specific to first responders, assists with post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and other problems that may come as a result of time in the field.
“These are people that wake up every single day not knowing what’s going to hit them, what they’re going to see, whether they’re going to come back home,” CEO Arthur Mogilevski said. “These are individuals that put their lives on the line. They work extraneous hours, really difficult conditions and for very little pay.”
After Action offers gender-specific, specialized care year-round. Each program has a limited capacity to allow for more individualized care plans when it comes to first responders.
“We have a program, (the) first of its kind in the nation, for women, run by women. So it’s a safe haven for female first responders to get the help they need,” Mogilevski said. “Our women’s program is a maximum of six clients, our men’s program is a maximum of 12 clients.”
Beyond support for first responders, Dowd hopes the holiday season will also give the community a chance to uplift those affected by the Mountain Fire in Ventura County.
“I’ll tell you that fire affected a lot of families in our community, and there isn’t one of the members of our department that has not been impacted by that, that doesn’t know somebody personally that was impacted by fire,” Dowd said.
Dowd said the Spark of Love Toy Drive, run from early November through mid-December in multiple counties, is one way to help those affected. Nonperishable foods can also be brought to donation sites to support Food Share, an initiative powered by Feeding America.
“Every fire station in Ventura County has a Spark of Love donation station,” Dowd said. “It’s not that we don’t appreciate people bringing by things to help support us. … I think all of us would like to also see the generosity extended to those people in our community that are the most in need right now.”