‘It is a joy to work on Christmas day’ - Fireman enjoys working during festive season

For more than 30 years, Donavan Farquharson, a district officer at the Linstead Fire Station in St Catherine, has worked during the Christmas period - Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

And although he is away from home on the days when most would have preferred to be with their family members, Farquharson is on call in the service of his country.

"It is a joy for me to work over the Christmas, because I'm working for my country. It really doesn't matter if I'm at work or home, because my family is also at work," said Farquharson. "I have done a lot of years in the brigade and it is just the norm to be here on the holidays working."

Farquharson, 57, said that his family understands the nature of the job, so the fact that he is not home during the Christmas holidays is not a bother. Besides, he is not much of a fan of the festive season.

"I usually don't go out over the period when I'm home, because I don't like the rush," he said. "So being at work is fine for me. I just bring my food and I'm around my co-workers, too, so I'm home away from home."

The most disheartening Christmas period for Farquharson, as it relates to work, dates back to the early 2000s when he and his team had to put out a fire in Cotton Piece, Linstead, on Christmas Eve.

"It was very heartbreaking, because the family would have been making preparations for Christmas Day with their cake, and everything burnt out. It was very touching because we are all humans.But I just had to cheer them up, because we can't allow victims to see us crumbling," he said.

Farquharson, who has dedicated most of his life to the profession, said that he loves his job and this Christmas, like many in the past, will find him at the station.

"I have a passion for the firefighting. But the only thing is that whenever I hear the bell rings, I know someone will be left crying, because somebody might die or [be] left homeless," he said.

"My job is a part of me though, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else; and I will be working this Christmas."