Medford, OR – While many people spend Christmas Day at home, enjoying the warmth of family and holiday treats, for some, it’s just another day on the job. This includes the firefighters of Jackson County Fire District 3, who remain on duty to ensure the safety of their community, regardless of the holiday season.
This Christmas, 14 firefighters from the district’s four stations worked throughout the day, ready to respond to emergencies. For Firefighter Collin Lee, the job remains the same, no matter the date on the calendar. “We’re still here to do our jobs, perform our duties, and it’s not too different,” Lee said. “You’re with your different family in a sense too, so it’s fun doing it that way.”
Firefighters at Station 22, like their colleagues across the district, spent their Christmas day making sure everything was ready in case of an emergency. Their day typically includes checking equipment, staying on alert, and completing necessary tasks to maintain readiness. During downtime, they find moments to relax, enjoy each other’s company, and even get in a workout or watch football.
“We’re going to get all our chores done, make sure all the rigs are checked and good to go, and respond to calls as they come in,” said Firefighter Joey Forrest, emphasizing the unpredictability of their work. It’s not uncommon for these firefighters to be called into action at any moment, regardless of the time of day or holiday.
On Christmas Day, that call came in the form of a structure fire on the border of White City and Central Point. Three fire crews, including the team at Station 22, rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, they quickly assessed the situation and began the process of containing the fire. Thankfully, no one was injured, though the crew faced some tension with a heckler at the scene. Despite the challenge, the firefighters remained focused and professional, successfully putting out the fire.
Afterward, Firehouse 22 returned to the station to continue their shift, waiting for the next emergency. For these first responders, the job never stops.
While their families can’t always be with them on Christmas Day, they do find ways to stay connected. Many firefighters from Station 22 share close bonds with each other and their families, using the station as a gathering place to visit and spend time together. “All of our families are real close as well. It’s pretty fun we can use this as kind of a rally point for everyone to come hang out,” Forrest said.
Although the holidays may be unpredictable, the commitment of firefighters like Collin Lee and Joey Forrest remains steadfast. Whether it’s Christmas, New Year’s, or any other day of the year, they continue to serve their community with dedication, resilience, and a strong sense of teamwork.