Key Takeaways
- Many EMS professionals volunteer for holiday shifts to support teammates and their communities.
- Strong peer culture and service identity often outweigh financial incentives when choosing to work.
- Agencies can improve staff well-being with transparent scheduling and targeted mental health support.
Why the Holidays Still Matter in Emergency Medical Services
Many EMS professionals view holiday shifts as more than just another workday. These high-demand days allow them to serve communities when others cannot. Emergency call volume often increases due to travel, alcohol-related incidents, and weather. EMS systems prepare accordingly, often relying on experienced crews willing to volunteer for coverage.
Shifts during Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s bring emotional intensity that differs from regular operations. Paramedics and EMTs may respond to family disputes, elderly falls, or pediatric emergencies. The emotional weight can feel heavier when the calendar highlights joy while responders witness crisis. Still, many professionals choose to work because of an ingrained sense of duty—and because they know that someone must.
The Personal Reasons Behind the Choice
Finding Meaning in Service
Several EMS workers express a sense of meaning when serving patients during emotionally significant times. Responding to a grandmother’s fall or a child’s breathing emergency on Christmas Eve can leave lasting impressions. Rather than seeing it as a burden, seasoned providers often recognize that their presence becomes the stabilizing force amid chaos. In some cases, these professionals say they feel more connected to the spirit of the holidays through service than through celebration.
Shifts as a Practical Decision
Holiday shifts may offer tangible incentives. Some agencies provide bonuses or allow workers to swap for more favorable days off. For those without immediate family nearby or who observe different holidays, working Christmas or Thanksgiving can be an efficient way to support the team while accruing future flexibility. A younger EMT completing their paramedic training may choose to work the holiday as part of earning respect among peers and mentors.
The Role of Team Culture and Camaraderie
Holiday Traditions Within the Station
Many EMS departments create their own traditions during holiday shifts. Crews cook shared meals, decorate break rooms, or coordinate gift swaps among team members. These internal events reinforce belonging and ease the strain of missing home celebrations. In some cases, family members are invited to the station for part of the day, creating a hybrid environment where duty and festivity coexist. These shared rituals often build long-lasting memories and strengthen professional bonds.
Peer Support and Collective Mindset
When one crew member volunteers to work Christmas, others may follow suit in solidarity. The collective mindset becomes one of shared sacrifice, where no single person feels they alone gave something up. This team-first dynamic often forms the emotional core of why EMS providers choose to serve on days when the public is celebrating. A strong crew dynamic supports emotional resilience and builds trust that carries over into high-stress calls and rapid interventions.
Clinical and Operational Realities of Holiday Coverage
Call Types and Patient Demographics
During holiday weekends, EMS call types shift toward behavioral health, alcohol-related trauma, and cardiovascular events linked to stress. A 2021 CDC report noted a significant uptick in cardiac-related emergencies during the winter holidays, a pattern that frontline medics directly observe. Pediatric calls may rise due to new toys or increased activity indoors. Older adults may fall while decorating or cooking. Knowing these patterns helps departments staff accordingly, ensuring responders remain mentally prepared for high-acuity calls.
Staffing and Coverage Coordination
EMS leaders often rely on seasoned providers to anchor holiday coverage. Schedulers consider seniority, fatigue levels, and previous holiday service when assigning shifts. Agencies may use overtime pay or shift differentials to incentivize sign-ups. During critical holiday weekends, some systems activate surge plans. Larger departments may increase unit availability, while rural services may pre-stage resources based on historical incident density. Holiday coverage also requires coordination with dispatch, law enforcement, and hospital emergency departments.
How Families and Partners Support EMS Holiday Shifts
Shared Understanding and Adaptation
Spouses and children of EMS workers often learn to adapt to holiday timing. Celebrations may happen the day before or after, and many families embrace flexibility over tradition. Partners of EMS professionals develop a deep understanding of the career’s unpredictability. Some even plan travel or meals based on shift rosters. This adaptability reduces stress at home and helps responders stay focused on patient care while on duty.
Creative Celebrations That Still Feel Meaningful
Many EMS families lean into creativity when crafting their holiday traditions. A delayed dinner can still involve festive décor and music. Video calls allow for connection during breaks. Children often grow up understanding that service is a family value. A parent working on Christmas still leaves lasting warmth if they find time for a special breakfast or handwritten note. These small rituals keep the spirit of celebration alive even when schedules demand compromise.
Choosing Holiday Shifts as a Career Strategy
Standing Out in Competitive Roles
Volunteering for less desirable shifts can signal dedication. Supervisors notice those who show up when others prefer to rest. New graduates—especially those completing ACLS certification or onboarding—may find that holiday service offers chances to demonstrate skills under pressure. Those pursuing leadership roles or special teams often use these moments to prove reliability. Over time, a strong record of service earns trust and positions responders for career advancement.
Building Professional Identity and Legacy
For veteran paramedics, working holidays becomes part of their identity. The shared stories of Christmas calls or Thanksgiving saves become lore passed down to newer generations. Instructors at the BLS for Healthcare Providers Course often include anecdotes from these shifts to illustrate teamwork and timing. Providers may feel pride not only in what they do, but when they do it. Holidays mark pivotal moments in patient care and team unity, reinforcing a sense of calling rather than just employment.
FAQ
Why do EMS workers choose to work on holidays?
Many EMS professionals feel a strong sense of purpose during the holidays. Some want to serve their communities during emotionally intense times, while others appreciate shift flexibility or financial incentives. Holiday shifts also build camaraderie among crews and offer professional growth opportunities.
How do EMS agencies support responders working on holidays?
Agencies offer scheduling flexibility, meal sharing, and shift bonuses. They also foster a culture of appreciation and recognition. Some allow families to visit stations or host holiday-themed crew activities to boost morale.
What types of emergency calls increase during the holidays?
Holiday call volume often includes alcohol-related trauma, cardiac events, and behavioral health crises. Pediatric and geriatric calls also rise due to changes in routine and environment. EMS teams prepare for these patterns through training and resource planning.
Do EMS workers miss family time during the holidays?
Some responders do miss traditional celebrations, but many adapt. Families shift celebration dates or create new traditions. The sacrifice is often seen as part of the EMS lifestyle, supported by strong family understanding.
Is working holidays important for EMS career advancement?
Consistently volunteering for holiday shifts can highlight dedication and reliability. Supervisors often recognize those who step up during peak times. This can enhance opportunities for promotions or selection to elite teams within EMS systems.
Jeromy VanderMeulen is a seasoned fire service leader with over two decades of experience in emergency response, training, and public safety management. He currently serves as Battalion Chief at the Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District and is CEO of the Ricky Rescue Training Academy, a premier provider of online and blended EMT and firefighter certification programs in Florida.
Jeromy holds multiple degrees from Edison State College and the Community College of the Air Force, and is pursuing his MBA at Barry University. He maintains top-tier certifications, including Fire Officer IV, Fire Instructor III, and Fire Inspector II, and has served as a subject matter expert for a court case. He is a member or the Florida Fire Chiefs Association.
Jeromy also contributes to state-level fire safety regulation and serves on several hiring and promotional boards.