Turkeys on fire: Christmas calls for 999 workers

Turkeys on fire, floods and new dog toys for four-legged colleagues - life on shift as an emergency worker on Christmas Day can be varied and fulfilling. The BBC spoke to some of the blue light workers who will be serving their communities today.

Andy Richardson, force incident manager at North Yorkshire Police, has worked nearly every Christmas Day over his three decades in the force – and today will be his last before he retires.

"I think it's really important, not just over Christmas, but any time of the year, to support those people who ring up and want help," says the 51-year-old.

"A standout memory for me is working for the 2015 floods on Boxing Day, that was a real challenge for us."

On Christmas Day nine years ago, severe floods hit West and North Yorkshire - leading to evacuations and property damage.

For his colleague, Grace Foster, today will be her first Christmas working in the force's control room as a call handler.

"I've only been in this role for a few months and this will be my first Christmas on shift," says Grace, 31.

"I'm excited about working Christmas, I've been told it will be fairly busy. There is quite a demand for the police over the Christmas period.

"My family have all been in the emergency services or worked shifts – my dad was a firefighter and my mum was a nurse. So, growing up, Christmas Day wasn't on Christmas Day a lot of the time.

"I've heard their stories about things they have dealt with and incidents they attended and it's nice for me to finally do my bit and give back to the community, especially over Christmas.

"It just feels that little bit extra - you're not just giving back, but you are giving back over a period of time that is difficult for quite a lot of people.

"Just being that voice at the end of the phone will leave me with warmth in my heart over Christmas, knowing that I've made that slight difference."

Firefighter Kyle Whyman, 34, has been on call every Christmas since joining West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service four years ago.

He works full-time at Shipley Fire Station, and is also a retained firefighter at Silsden, the village where he lives.

Retained firefighters carry a pager and respond to a range of emergency incidents, during their agreed on call hours. Kyle will be on call today and Boxing Day.

"I expect it to be busy this year," he said.

"Typical things we get called out to are turkeys on fire in ovens and chimney fires."

Kyle will spend the day at home with his family, including two young sons, but has to be ready in case he is called in for a job - which is why retained firefighters have to live within five minutes of their station.

"It does impact on family life, I do miss things but the benefits of being part of the local community and helping people far outweighs that.

"My family understand that Daddy has to break away sometimes."

Keeping PC Josh Hunsley, 26, company on his shift will be his three-year-old police dog, Rhun.

"This will be my fourth time working Christmas Day and it's just like a normal day at work, the jobs keep coming in, people still misbehave and get themselves in trouble," he says.

Josh is a handler in North Yorkshire Police's dog unit. He and Rhun assist the force's response unit and could be called out to various jobs, including violent crime, burglaries, or community events.

"The community are generally quite happy to see us, there are a few that aren't but that's just part of the job."

"Children will wave and want to come and see the dog and we're more than happy for them to do that. It's just about trying to make the most out of it when you're on that shift."

German Shepherd Rhun lives at home with Josh. The pair are "inseparable" and spend every day together.

"He is the reason I've got a job. What he can do is absolutely fantastic and it baffles me every day," he said.

"There will definitely be a treat or a new dog toy coming his way on Christmas Day."

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