Being at work while others get to enjoy the holidays with loved ones can feel like a significant sacrifice. While some people volunteer to work on holidays, not everyone has that choice.
However, some people actually enjoy working holidays because it gives them chances to be creative problem-solvers for their work teams, along with opportunities to demonstrate patience and be a source of calmness in otherwise hectic periods of the year.
On behalf of those who don’t work on holidays, Brentwood Lifestyle staffers share gratitude to those who do, such as emergency dispatchers, hospital staff, convenience store operators, veterinarians, retail employees, news anchors/reporters and tow truck drivers.
Often on the clock during the holidays are local ambulance teams and EMS professionals. Michele Simpson, Williamson Medical Center Emergency Medical Services' director of marketing and communications, says the unit consists of 160 personnel. She says they staff 17 ambulances and three field supervisors 365 days a year.
Sharing what that business-as-usual-on-holidays experience is like are Michael Wallace, CCPM, MBA, CCP-C, NRP and Williamson County EMS director, along with Mark King, Williamson Medical Center EMS assistant director.
How do you mentally prepare for working the holidays?
Michael: EMS personnel realize that emergencies never stop happening, including holidays. As a matter of fact, depending on the holiday, volume is often enhanced. We would, of course, prefer to spend time with our families on holidays, but we also consider it a privilege to stand in the gap and help those in need when they are having an emergency, which can be particularly difficult when they happen on holidays. As a leader of emergency services personnel, I am always acutely aware and appreciative of the sacrifice that each of our providers makes when they work on holidays or even special circumstances. Their service matters and their families miss them, but also support their efforts, which is inspiring.
Mark: The families of our EMS personnel are extremely supportive of their loved ones and understand that due to the nature of the important work they do, they might not be able to be home on the official day of some holidays. Many of these families selflessly adjust their personal holiday plans (to before or after the actual holiday) so they are able to celebrate together as a family. This genuine support and pride in their loved ones are vital in our EMS professionals’ abilities to successfully function in their service of caring for others.
What are the hardest aspects of working holidays?
Michael: The hardest aspect of working holidays is seeing the enhanced impact that it has on patients and families when emergencies occur. It often leaves a memory that reoccurs for them every time that holiday occurs in the future.
Mark: I agree with Michael’s comments. Without a doubt, seeing patients and their families hurting/struggling on days on which the rest of the community is celebrating, is a tough thing to witness.
What are the benefits of working on holidays?
Michael: It is a privilege to serve those in need anytime, but it's an extra privilege on the holidays because of how impactful it can be on them.
Mark: While we might be away from our families during the holidays, we celebrate together as a work family. Our teams come together on holidays and we share a special meal together; sometimes just us, but often with other public safety teams (like the fire and police departments). Additionally, it’s always heartwarming to have community members stop by our stations to spread holiday cheer through special treats and/or words of encouragement.
What's the most eventful holiday shift you've ever had?
Michael: New Year’s Eve several years ago in another state: We had such a high volume of vehicle accidents, multiple shootings and a series of arson-related structure fires across the community, that we had to call in personnel from home to staff additional ambulances. It felt as if we were in mass casualty mode for the entire night.
Mark: I don’t have one particular holiday that I would call the “most eventful,” but each holiday I’ve worked holds unique memories that will remain with me always.
How will you observe year-end holidays this year?
Both Michael and Mark: We each always plan our family gatherings in conjunction with the needs of our department. And as a department, we diligently work together to try and cover vacation requests as best we can while ensuring that staffing needs are appropriately met and sometimes even enhanced depending on the projected needs of the community. Beyond that, no matter what day it happens, we will find ways to celebrate with our families at home, as well as with our colleagues at work.