If there’s one thing I’ve learned from hosting the Better Every Shift podcast and spending over 20 years in the fire service, it’s that the kitchen table and the dayroom are where the real culture happens — and the holiday season amplifies this. Let’s face it, sometimes the best way to decompress after a heavy extrication or a long night of EMS runs is to huddle up, grab some popcorn (or whatever the station cook whipped up), and argue about whether a movie is actually a Christmas classic (I’m looking at you Die Hard). The challenge: Find a movie the entire crew can agree on without a jurisdictional dispute breaking out over the remote. With that, here’s my breakdown of the firehouse holiday rotation.
The heavy-hitters
1. “Christmas Vacation”: This is the gold standard. Clark Griswold is basically a training officer trying to coordinate a multi-company drill. Everything that can go wrong, does. From the “over-extending” of the electrical grid to the ladder mishaps, it’s a safety officer’s nightmare and a firefighter’s comedy dream. We’ve all had that one shift that felt exactly like the Griswold family Christmas.
2. “Elf”: You can’t hate Buddy! He’s the enthusiastic probie (or ZAM) of the North Pole. He’s got the energy we all wish we had at 0300. It’s light, it’s clean, and it keeps the mood upbeat when the tones won’t stop dropping.
3. “Die Hard”: Let’s settle this once and for all — it’s a Christmas movie. It’s also a movie about a guy who is solo, under-resourced and dealing with a massive structural incident while the “administrators” outside have no clue what’s going on. Sound familiar? John McClane is the ultimate first responder.
The “after-hours” picks
4. “Bad Santa”: This one usually comes out after the chief has left for the day. It’s dark, it’s cynical and, let’s be honest, it matches the “salty” humor of a veteran engine crew perfectly. It’s definitely not for the public education events but a must for the dayroom? It’s a classic.
5. “Office Christmas Party”: This is a stark reminder of why we’re glad we work in a firehouse and not a corporate cubicle. However, it’s not entirely foreign territory. If you’ve ever seen a station’s “Secret Santa” go off the rails or a shift party get a little too boisterous, you’ll find some highly relatable moments here. It captures that chaotic energy that happens when a group of high-stress individuals finally gets a chance to let loose.
The nostalgia trip
6. “Home Alone”: This is a masterclass in technical rescue — or at least tactical defense. Kevin McCallister’s “traps” are essentially high-hazard environment simulations that would keep any safety officer up at night. We love watching this one and critiquing the medical reality of a blowtorch to the head (spoiler: Marv would be a Level 1 Trauma activation). As an added bonus, listening to Joe Pesci’s “mumbled” frustration is a mood every firefighter has felt after a particularly long, gear-staining shift.
7. “A Christmas Story”: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” This is the ultimate “don’t do something stupid” movie, and since it runs on TV for 24 to 48 hours straight every year, you literally cannot escape it, which is fine, because it’s a great reminder of the simple stuff. It brings back that nostalgic feeling of being a kid, reminding us that even in a house full of chaos, family is what matters most. In the firehouse, it’s a chance for the crew to slow down and appreciate the simple traditions that make our station feel like home during the holidays.
8. “The Santa Clause”: A guy gets thrust into a job he didn’t ask for and has to learn the SOPs on the fly. It’s basically the story of every newly promoted lieutenant and chief. Tim Allen’s transition to the big suit is just like trying to fit into a new set of turnout gear after a heavy holiday meal.
The modern and the misunderstood
9. “Scrooged”: Bill Murray is a legend. This is the “mental health” check of the list. It reminds us that no matter how burnt out we feel, there’s always room to find the spirit of the job again. It’s about the why behind what we do.
10. “Red One”: The new kid on the block. It’s got “The Rock,” it’s got action, and it treats the North Pole like a high-stakes tactical operation. It’s essentially a “Special Ops” Christmas movie. It’s an excellent pick for the crew that wants something fresh with a side of adrenaline.
This is an evolving list, and I know everyone has their station favorites. I look forward to hearing your takes --- after all, half the fun is the debate itself!
I hope you can use these movies to build that crew bond — laugh a little, argue about McClane’s tactics, and take a moment to appreciate the second family you have. We have the best job in the world, and as we look toward the new year, let’s keep transforming ourselves and our fire service.
