COLERAIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WXIX) - Most first responders and emergency workers acknowledge that it's part of the job, but it doesn't make working on the holidays any easier.
FOX19 NOW spent time at Colerain Township Fire Station 25, where the station must always be staffed, even on the holidays.
The streets are empty around the fire station. It's a rare sight to see Colerain Avenue near Northgate Mall this deserted on a Wednesday afternoon.
Even restaurants typically open 24/7 have closed their doors, giving employees the day off.
"We say the holidays are part of the job but we understand what it is, you know, we have to be here just because somebody has to be here 24/7," said Colerain Township Fire Captain Shawn Stacy.
Working on the holidays is typically decided by seniority says Capt. Stacy.
"That's really how it works," Capt. Stacy said "Whoever the senior person is gets the day off. My kids are grown so I work on Christmas just so some of the younger guys can have off with the younger kids."
Though some are willing to take on holiday shifts, there are only so many that can be covered.
Firefighter paramedic Jeff Benzing has two young kids ages 6 and 3.
"It's a challenge, you know, I got up this morning and kissed the kids goodbye and wished them Merry Christmas, they were still in bed," Benzing says.
As a result, Benzing and his wife have to make other arrangements for their children's Christmas Day.
"I had the kids write a letter to Santa asking Santa to come early since dad works," Benzing said. "So we just make do."
These first responders say they'd rather stay at the first station than go out on a run, and they tell FOX19 NOW you can help by keeping an eye on a couple of things.
"Space heaters and then it's ovens," Capt. Stacy said. "A lot of ovens, you know people are cooking now when they might not have cleaned their oven and so now we get a lot of oven fires or a lot of grease fires because people are doing more cooking than they normally do."
Firehouses, police stations, road crews and other city, county and Township employees across the Tri-State are sacrificing their holidays to keep us safe.
So, enjoy Christmas dinner with your family, and rest assured that these dedicated men and women are there if you need them.