At the mark of the first full moon, most of us surround ourselves with family, friends and loved ones, along with Jae-sa and delicious food. But for some, the Lunar New Year is a time of work, not rest. Firefighters keep their guard up on the front lines during the busy holiday season as they work around the clock to protect our traditions and celebrations.

For first responders, the holiday season calls for heightened surveillance and demand. “When it comes to the holidays, there is more food and cooking than usual, so there is a greater risk of fire. And since there is a lot of movement, there is also a greater risk of safety accidents such as car crashes,” said fire sergeant Shin Ji-hwan, who has spent three winters on the field. Shin oversees the Bullo 119 Safety Center, which operates in tandem with the fire department and emergency medical services.

To avoid as many incidents as possible, crisis responders work extra shifts to patrol the area. Firefighter Jeon Dong-jin said, “Our team usually patrols once at night, but during holidays like the Lunar New Year, we go out once in the afternoon, once at night, and once at dawn. We often check areas like markets and less crowded places to make sure there are no fires.”

Unfortunately, the average person’s safe and festive holiday comes with a heavy emotional toll – each year, emergency personnel sacrifice their family festivities. “Though I often think about my family, I recognize that I chose this job and work hard to fulfill my duties,” Jeon said.

Although firefighters miss out on memorable moments, their family gifts them with pride as they work around the clock on the front lines. Shin said, “I remember my first shift during the holidays. It was Lunar New Year, and my grandfather called to tell me that he missed me and wanted to see me, but was also proud of the work I was doing for the community. When I heard my grandfather’s kind words, I felt a deep sense of gratitude and pride. From that moment on, I realized that I must continue to work hard for the safety of the citizens and always strive to do my best.”

On the field, civilians become new families far from home with their appreciation and support. “Not only during the holiday season, but also on a regular basis, when we respond to fires or rescues, civilians often express their appreciation, saying we’re doing a great job,” Shin said. “Sometimes, they even buy us ice cream, and even if they don’t, a kind word or two can make a big difference. These gestures give us great strength and reinforce our desire to continue serving as firefighters with pride.”

Even with the support, at its core, saving lives gives frontline fighters a joy that outweighs the toll of their 24/7 job. “I remember an incident from last year’s Chuseok, when someone was trapped inside a car. We were able to rescue them, and I recall how that moment made the paramedics and the team feel proud,” said Jeon.

Despite the time of the year, the team’s efforts differ little from an ordinary Monday at work. “Although civilians may see it as a sacrifice, we don’t consider it that way because this is our job. We always approach it with the same dedication, whether it’s during the Lunar New Year or any other holiday,” Shin said. “Regardless of the occasion, we remain committed to preparing diligently and ensuring the safety of the public, and we will continue to do so as firefighters.”

This story was originally published on Jets Flyover on January 19, 2025.