Holidays are unique for everyone, but especially for firefighters at Fire Station 106. For Captain Adam Halsey and his crew, the holidays signify a time to embrace family, brotherhood, and the community they serve.
It’s about more than responding to emergencies—it’s about building relationships, support systems, and making meaningful contributions to others. Like many crew members, Halsey's passion for firefighting began as a child. Inspired by a visit to Taylorsville Fire Station 117 with his mother, he grew up to become a seasonal firefighter in 1997 and joined the full-time ranks in 2000. Now, with 24 years of experience, firefighting has shaped his life in unexpected ways.
“Firefighting is more than a job—it’s a brotherhood,” says Halsey, reflecting on the deep bonds shared among firefighters, not just within his crew but with the 640 firefighters of the Unified Fire Authority (UFA) across the valley. “The connection between firefighters provides support on and off duty; I know I can call any of them for help.” He emphasizes that the personal connection between crew members strengthens their professional capabilities, making them more effective as a team under pressure.
Firefighting tests both physical and mental endurance. Early in Halsey's career, a common practice was to compartmentalize stress by "boxing it up," but that method didn’t work for him or many others. Recognizing the importance of mental wellness, Halsey utilizes open discussions about difficult experiences with his crew. He credits these conversations as a crucial support system, especially in high-stakes situations. Today, UFA’s recruit academy is introduced to the in-house peer support team and their role, setting the foundation for support and helping firefighters build resilience.
Music plays a key role in team morale at the firehouse, whether in the gym or kitchen. Crew members often take turns asking Alexa to play a favorite song—Poison’s “Nothing but a Good Time” being a regular choice for Halsey. These light-hearted moments help crew members bond and unwind between calls.
No matter the song playing, when the community calls, firefighters answer. “Firefighters are often the ‘knot at the end of the rope,” Halsey explains. Managing emotions under pressure while staying committed to serving others is a skill mastered over time. Flexibility, quick problem-solving, patience, and empathy are essential for any firefighter—qualities that serve not just in emergencies but in everyday life. For Halsey, the most rewarding part of the job is making a difference, no matter how small. “The little moments where you know you’ve made someone’s life better—that’s what keeps you going.”
Now serving the Millcreek community with passion and dedication, Halsey appreciates the community’s frequent expressions of gratitude, from random visitors dropping off tokens of appreciation to interactions at parades and events. Preschoolers often visit Station 106, giving the crew a chance to teach fire safety while building connections within the neighborhood. “Those are the moments we appreciate,” says Halsey.
During the holidays, the crew embraces the festive spirit by participating in coat drives, parades, and visits from Santa on the firetruck, bringing joy to local families. When on duty, the crew celebrates at the firehouse, further strengthening bonds between crew members, the community, and their families. Thanksgiving is special, with the upper room of Station 106 filled with the glow of lights, the smell of turkey, and the sounds of laughter. Families are invited to the firehouse for dinner, a tradition that reinforces connections between work and home life.
Crew members take turns cooking holiday meals, with everyone bringing a side dish—though Halsey jokes that his tofu Wellington might not make it back on the table this year. Even during festive moments, safety remains a top priority, and the job comes first. Each firehouse is equipped with stoves that automatically shut off when a call comes in, ensuring no safety hazards are left behind.
As the holiday season approaches, the firehouse shares safety tips: fry your turkey on concrete, not wooden decks, water Christmas trees before they dry out, and be mindful in the kitchen as cooking fires are the most common cause of firehouse calls during the holidays. These simple precautions can help families enjoy a safe and happy holiday.
Though being away from home during the holidays can be difficult, crew members stay connected with their families through text messages and video calls, ensuring they remain part of daily routines. “Family is everything,” says Halsey.
Whether celebrating the holidays on duty or responding to an emergency, being a firefighter is a lifelong commitment, marked by moments of triumph, challenges, and deep connections with both colleagues and the community. For Captain Adam Halsey and the crew at Station 106, every day brings a new opportunity to make a difference.
"The connection between firefighters provides support on and off duty; I know I can call any of them for help.”
Firefighters are often the ‘knot at the end of the rope,The little moments where you know you’ve made someone’s life better—that’s what keeps you going. Those are the moments we appreciate.