In the spirit of the holiday season, fire and EMS agencies across the world are actively engaging with their communities, not only to spread cheer but also to enhance safety awareness. These organizations are embracing the festive period with a series of heartwarming activities. From toy drives, to educational campaigns, their initiatives engage the communities they serve to spread good will.
Firefighters, paramedics and EMTs are showing a different facet of their roles as community builders and supporters, by filling ambulances with toys for tots, lighting up the bay with apparatus light shows and reducing the risk of holiday dangers.
Share your organization’s light show, holiday cheer or community risk messaging with us at editor@ems1.com. Happy holidays!
EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.
Spreading holiday cheer
It’s an iconic holiday film – and this year, #LoveActually turns 20. Fire and Life Safety mascots @HotDogFDNY and @SirenFDNY have a special take on one of the film’s most recognizable scenes.
— FDNY (@FDNY) December 19, 2023
Cue the cards for #firesafety … pic.twitter.com/rUmxSQwKrV
Pittsburgh EMS held the 5th Annual Tracey Lynn Worthy toy drive to honor a paramedic gone too soon.
— Pittsburgh EMS (@PghEMS) December 20, 2023
This year's recipient was Maddies GEMs, an organization that supports mothers who've experienced loss through miscarriage, stillbirth, or any other factors from birth to age five. pic.twitter.com/Racp2MPBwK
FDNY EMS Division 9 & the Bureau of Training brought holiday cheer to hundreds of children & their families. Over the past few weeks, they’ve been collecting toys for the Child Center of New York to donate to kids & families who can use a little help during the holidays. pic.twitter.com/lwSKfKJPAe
— FDNY (@FDNY) December 20, 2023
🎄#12DaysofGiving: Dropping the puck helps @Iaff343 bring Christmas cheer to New York kids! #Firefighters hit the ice to collect more than 1,000 toys and over $2,000 to benefit a local community center’s holiday assistance program. Rea more here: https://t.co/NbLMNHcNgF pic.twitter.com/yGD3R3GKYR
— International Association of Fire Fighters (@IAFFofficial) December 20, 2023
Nov 26th the 11th Annual Toys for Tots Event took place in Abbotsford. @APBC873 participated, bringing an #Ambulance full of toys and gifts to donate. Over 1500 participants attended resulting in 2400 toys being collected and $52,500 was raised. pic.twitter.com/fJgSNiHpon
— A. Paramedics Of BC (@APBC873) December 19, 2023
🎅#12DaysofGiving: All aboard the Pembroke Pines Santa Express!
— International Association of Fire Fighters (@IAFFofficial) December 21, 2023
Pembroke Pines, FL Local 2292 sponsors popular event to benefit local families making over 400 stops delivering toys and gifts during the holiday season. https://t.co/HdwQ6qojWe pic.twitter.com/yhH4uDRJUC
TODAY @mcfrs FFs picked up gifts in Potomac to deliver to dozens of families across @MontgomeryCoMD in conjunction w/ KINDH (Kids In Need During the Holidays) & associated Community Engagement partners - thanks to thoughtful & generous KINDH contributions - it’s Season of Giving pic.twitter.com/KrTMaK32CB
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) December 21, 2023
Toy drive going on now at @CanadianTire heartland! Come by and say hi @OPSEU277 @Peel_Paramedics pic.twitter.com/YzNYRyClvk
— Peel Paramedic Assoc (@ParamedicAssoc) December 13, 2023
We love seeing the EMS-themed decorations! Do you have any in your home or station? We'd love to see them. Post your pics on social media and tag us, or DM us a photo.
— EMS MEMORIAL (@EMSmemorial) December 20, 2023
Happy Holidays, everyone! pic.twitter.com/dUNjGLegPk
But wait—there’s myrrh! We couldn't let @GRFDAZ have all the fun. We decided to keep the holiday magic going with our own light show at Station 336!
— Northwest Fire (@NorthwestFire) December 19, 2023
We might be biased, but we think we sleighed it. 🛷#HappyHolidays #NWFDAZ pic.twitter.com/SrcoSWphOW
The sun is setting on today’s #sparkoflove toy drive with Your #LAFd and @abc7community ! 90 mins left We’re at Lot 13 on Stadium Way pic.twitter.com/XwXLJ25Iuj
— #LAFD Talk (@LAFDtalk) December 16, 2023
Thank you to our community for their incredible generosity in supporting Toys for Tots! Your contributions will make the holidays brighter for countless children. ImageTrend and City of Lakeville, Minnesota - Fire Department wish you a wonderful holiday season! #HappyHolidays pic.twitter.com/Y2rjalkN2h
— ImageTrend (@ImageTrend_LLC) December 14, 2023
A Christmas tradition for more than 25 years: Members of Engine 44 bring Santa Claus and toys to @rmhnewyork to brighten up the night for the children and families. Members of the @nypd19pct act as Santa’s little helpers, bringing toys for the families. pic.twitter.com/Qj3DS9KLUY
— FDNY (@FDNY) December 14, 2023
Just another ordinary day at the office… Actually, the penance for challenging the @MedStarEMSInfo team to fill 5 LARGE toy collection boxes for our toy drive! We did it!!! So they dressed up this way!! Thanks Ken Simpson and @DrJeffJarvis for being such great sports!! pic.twitter.com/S9aN9spJvM
— MedStar EMS Alerts (@MedStarEMSInfo) December 14, 2023
Community safety messaging
🌲Stay safe this holiday season🌲
— MontgomeryCo(MD)Fire (@mcfrs) December 21, 2023
Deck the halls . . . with safety! @mcfrs pic.twitter.com/g6A8CnQdon
Day 10 of the 12 Days of Holiday Fire & CO Safety! Baby, it's cold outside! Staying warm this winter means practicing fire safety. Space heaters, wood stoves & fireplaces are all great ideas until an accident happens. Keep at least 3 feet between your heat source & combustibles. pic.twitter.com/BvNZ0dPbgt
— Peterborough Fire (@PtboFireRescue) December 21, 2023
🔥🎄 Did you know unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires around holidays? 🔥🎄
— Travis County Emergency Services (@TravisCountyES) December 21, 2023
✅ Keep items that can catch fire away from the stove
✅ Never leave cooking unattended
✅ Set timers if you’re baking or roasting#PrepareTravisCounty pic.twitter.com/TY4zEaX9C2
Our Elf on the Shelf is not just an expert at hiding, but also a certified Call, Push, Shock! hero! 🌟👏
— Ambulance Victoria (@AmbulanceVic) December 20, 2023
Why not give the ultimate Christmas gift and give back to the community by becoming a @GoodSamApp responder? Find out more here: https://t.co/f3NZGABuZB pic.twitter.com/5nmW9Iq4sJ
Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk of fire. Follow Sparky’s Holiday Fire Safety Guide to ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season. For more holiday safety tips, visit https://t.co/pz3kh6xMUP. pic.twitter.com/DVmzOw5S0O
— NFPA (@NFPA) December 20, 2023
🎄To prevent #Christmas tree fires, #firefighters should remind their community to:
— International Association of Fire Fighters (@IAFFofficial) December 20, 2023
✔️ Keep trees well-watered.
✔️ Keep trees away from any sources of heat.
✔️ Turn off decorative lights before going to bed or leaving the house.
Stay safe this holiday season! pic.twitter.com/3qvlDsgry7
