LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Rather than riding a sleigh, first responders are getting into their units to serve their communities.<\/p>\n
Dozens of first responders across the Hub City are spending Christmas Day on duty. As their families celebrate Christmas at home, they are responding to an influx of emergency calls<\/p>\n
\u201cIt does seem to pick up a little bit,\u201d Chad Curry said. \u201cA lot of people seem to come to larger communities for Christmas, and a lot of people come home… And then, of course, a lot of travel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curry serves as the Training Chief for UMC EMS. He explains emergency calls are unpredictable and often reflect the worst day of someone\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s usually always a cardiac arrest or somebody loses their life,\u201d Curry said. \u201cIt kind of touches a little bit deeper than it normally does, not only for us, but for all first responders, the hospital staff, and even the military, as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lubbock Police Officer Collin Sherley says responding to calls is an intense environment and compartmentalizing is key, especially this time of year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can sometimes be hard to come home and switch back to a normal family life,\u201d Sherley said.<\/p>\n
Curry and Sherley have nearly 50 years of experience between them. Each year, as they clock in, their families at home are feeling the impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just harder with me being away during the traditional holiday hours,\u201d Officer Sherley said. \u201cMy kids have had to learn to be patient and wait to open their presents. Meals are at different times and even celebrating them on totally different days.\u201d<\/p>\n
The non-traditional holiday has turned generational for the Curry family.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hated when I was younger and my kids were small and I would have to miss part of the Christmas,\u201d Curry said. \u201cBut, my kids understood that this was what I do. Now, I have a son that\u2019s a nurse, and so, he\u2019s working today as well. He\u2019s kind of understanding what I went through for all those years.\u201d<\/p>\n
While there are downsides with working the holiday, Curry sees this as a chance to continue serving the people.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know that when you go in, you\u2019re making a difference in somebody\u2019s life. I mean, you do that every day, and so you\u2019re kind of accustomed to that, but you know on Christmas you\u2019re giving them a little extra touch. You\u2019re giving them a little extra hope, especially for those really bad calls. You really get to bless them and touch them in a way that that hopefully blesses their life,\u201d Curry said.<\/p>\n
Both Sherley and Curry want to remind people to not take the time spent celebrating the holiday for granted.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust enjoy the time with your family because not all the kids get to spend a traditional Christmas with their parents,\u201d Sherley said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe nice and be kind to each other. So that\u2019s just have a Merry Christmas,\u201d Curry said.<\/p>\n
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