|
Firefighters
expect to be on duty
One
of the things you quickly learn after choosing the profession of firefighter
is that holidays will never be the same.
As time passes you get used to working on holidays and weekends, and,
for the most part, they just become another workday. It’s nice to be off on
the Fourth of July or Memorial Day, but if I have to work, that’s OK.
F i ref i g h t er s have to be on duty everyday; we just can’t take the
day off because it’s inconvenient to work. You just have to learn how to plan
your family life around your work schedule. I consider myself very lucky
because my family understands and accepts my work schedule and have always
been supportive of my chosen career path.
The one holiday that has always been the hardest for me to work is
Christmas.
There have been many Christmas mornings when my wife would wake the
kids up much earlier than even they wanted and have them quickly rip open the
gifts so I could rush off to work, leaving everyone sitting half asleep in a
pile of wrapping paper and wondering what just happened. Christmas is simply
one of those days when it’s hard to be away from your family. Often times families will come by and visit those on duty, and
some of the stations even cook large meals and invite family members to help
make the holiday a little more enjoyable for those who must work. Many times
firefighters who don’t have kids or have kids that are grown will come in
early or stay late so firefighters with younger kids can spend a little extra
time with their families.
Even with the difficulty the schedule sometimes presents, I’ve never
regretted my decision to become a firefighter, and I could not imagine myself
in a different occupation. I have always considered it an honor to serve the
citizens of High Point, and unfortunately our services are needed because
houses burn and people get sick on Christmas Day just like every other day of
the year. It is our desire as a fire department to provide you with the high
quality of service possible every day of the year.
Just remember on this Christmas day that the members of the High Point
Fire Department will be on duty and ready to respond to assist you just like
any other day of the year.
24/7/365: You call; we res p o n d .
I hope each of you has a wonderful and joyous holiday.
KENNETH LEE KNIGHT is a battalion chief in the High Point Fire
Department. He can be contacted at kenneth.knight@highpointnc.gov
|
|
