By FireRescue1 Staff
The holiday season is the perfect time for fire departments to engage with their local communities. Agencies are also increasingly using social media to share special events and safety messages, and this year was no exception.
Here are some of our favorite holiday videos shared online by fire departments in 2019, which we hope may inspire you to find creative ways to connect with your communities in 2020.
Palm Coast (Florida) Fire Department – 2019 Fire Truck Christmas Light Show
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=483442592284733
Last year, the Palm Coast Fire Department racked up more than 55,000 views on its fire truck light show video to a remix of the Jingle Bell Rock. This year, the department synced its apparatus up with the hip-hop track Christmas in Hollis by Run-DMC.
Walker County (Georgia) Fire Rescue – Santa and Sparky Holiday Fire Safety PSA
Walker County Fire Rescue recruited a big name to encourage residents to practice fire safety. Before loading his sleigh, Santa Claus joined Sparky the Fire Dog in a new public service announcement to warn the public about how the holiday season can be the most dangerous time of the year.
Monmouth County (New Jersey) Government – Holiday Fire Safety Tips
The Monmouth County Fire Marshal and Fire Academy may not have brought Santa with them in their safety PSA, but they, along with Fire Academy Liaison and Freeholder Patrick Impreveduto, did bring their personalities to this video demonstrating do’s and don’ts for trees, lights and candles.
Carmel (Indiana) Fire Department – Light Show Directed by Santa
Here’s another great light show, from the Carmel Fire Department. According to the department, “A few weeks before the big night, Santa always makes his rounds checking his route. While in Carmel, he stopped by one of the fire stations and had some fun for a bit before the firefighters got a call.”
Richardson (Texas) Fire Department– Toy and Food Drive
The Richardson Fire Department made a special delivery to families at the Network of Community Ministries during its Annual Toy and Food Drive. This year the program will include donations to victims of tornados that struck North Texas in October.
San Diego Fire-Rescue Department – Live Christmas Tree Fire Demonstration
https://www.facebook.com/SDFDofficial/videos/2184756558496299/
To send a message about Christmas tree safety, the San Diego Fire-Rescue streamed live video of a demonstration showing how quickly a Christmas tree can burn. The broadcast gave viewers a real-time look at how a dry tree can be consumed in a matter of seconds.
Charlotte County (Florida) Fire and EMS – Dueling Emergency Jingle Bells
Charlotte County Fire and EMS put on its own creative light display with a duel between its fire Engine 7 and its Rescue 32 ambulance. The two apparatus faced off to the tune of Jingle Bells performed by the United States Navy Band.
Bonus International Video: County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service, U.K. – Christmas Ad Parody with Fire Dog Woodie
https://www.facebook.com/CDDFRS/videos/511224209467274/
In this adorable video, the County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service in England parodied the Christmas ad of John Lewis & Partners, a British department store chain. According to a follow-up post, the company sent the star of the parody – Woodie the fire dog – a box of treats and toys, including a plush dragon from the original video.