For most residents of Windsor, Ontario, Christmas Day 2025 was a time for family, gifts, and holiday cheer. But for a dedicated group of first responders, December 25th was a regular day on the job, underscoring their unwavering commitment to public safety.
A Holiday Routine at the Fire Station
Out of Windsor's 250 firefighters, 51 were on duty throughout the Christmas holiday. At the downtown Station #1, the day began like any other for Captain Scott Preston and his ten crew members. Their 24-hour shift started at 8 a.m. with gear checks, followed by the standard 9 a.m. tour and station cleaning.
"The expectation is the same," said Preston, a 22-year veteran who has worked seven Christmases. "Nothing really changes for us. It's the same pattern every day." The crew did enjoy one small concession for the holiday: the weekly chore of polishing the station's iconic brass poles was postponed, part of what they call a "holiday routine."
Meals Interrupted, Calls Answered
The normalcy of their routine was quickly confirmed. As the crew sat down to a special breakfast of homemade waffles, bacon, scrambled eggs, and hashbrowns, a call came in. A fire alarm had been activated at a hospital in the city's east end.
In a display of practiced efficiency, a team of four—two firefighters, a captain, and a driver—sprang into action. They slid down the poles, donned their bunker gear, and departed in a fire truck in under 90 seconds. Fortunately, the call was a false alarm, and the crew returned to the station.
"Just another day at the office," remarked firefighter Nick Wismer. "Meals get interrupted. It's part of the job." Station #1 handles roughly one-third of the city's approximately 10,000 annual calls, and Christmas Day was no exception.
Camaraderie and Shift Trading for Family Time
The spirit of the season was reflected in the firefighters' camaraderie and willingness to trade shifts. Nick Wismer, one of the department's most junior members with three years of service, has already worked three Christmas Days. Last year, he traded shifts to allow a colleague with a young family to have the day off.
"I don't have kids or anything, so guys with kids and a family, let them have it off," Wismer said. "I'm sure my time will come eventually."
Captain Preston emphasized this culture of support, especially for milestones in a firefighter's family life. "When firefighters have small kids it's exciting," he noted. "Especially kids that are four or five years old, and it's their first recognizable Christmas. You want them to be there for those milestone events."
The scene at Station #1 served as a powerful reminder that emergency services operate 365 days a year. While the city enjoyed a festive break, Windsor's firefighters remained vigilant, ready to respond at a moment's notice, proving that for them, duty doesn't take a holiday.
