Firefighting isn’t just about the duties that we perform It also is about building trust with the people with whom we share these duties. Imagine a workplace where every meal is more than just food but a ritual of connection, bonding and shared purpose.
In firehouses across the world, the firehouse kitchen table isn’t just a tradition. It’s a place to laugh and learn and where we do a lot of our “counseling” and problem-solving.
The psychological power of shared meals
The benefits:
- Breaking bread as a form of team building. This is a great time to put down the phones, enjoy the meal and the company that’s around you.
- Reducing stress through social connection. People who have strong social connections often are in a better place when it comes to their emotional stability and sense of life satisfaction.
- Creating a family-like atmosphere in high-pressure environments. We all have run those tough calls together. Having an outlet is important.
- Importance of dialogue and communication during mealtime. Use this time to get to know each other and learn about each other’s life and family.
- This is a great time to bust balls and laugh together. Just don’t let it get out of hand. This comes back to knowing the people who are around you.
Nutritional strategies for peak performance
High-quality fuel matters. Fueling your body with trash over the long term yields exactly what you would expect. Cooking at the firehouse gives you more control over your health.
We all know that some days are just nonstop. With a little bit of extra planning, we can make sure to get the appropriate fuel for these tough days, to balance nutritional needs with shift work challenges.
Collaborative meal preparation is a great time for everyone, from the rookie to the senior member, to have their input.
Be open to the various likes/dislikes of the crew. Over time, you’ll learn what things your crew does and doesn’t like to eat. I know that one member of my crew doesn’t eat eggs. Another will puke if he eats any kind of bell pepper. My captain despises cilantro.
Practical approaches to firehouse meal planning
How do you make it work?
Set up a condiment fund for the basics that everyone uses (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, etc.). Everyone pays in. Items are less expensive by buying in bulk.
Cooking at the station is a great way to keep costs low. When everyone cooks their own food eats out, it’s so much more expensive. My department’s average cost for two meals/shift is $13. I challenge you to name two full meals that you can get at a restaurant for $13 total.
Having control over what goes into our food is a great long-term play for our future health. I recently began to use a meal-tracking app, and I was blown away with my sodium intake. (Over the long term, this isn’t great.) Being able to control this in the firehouse kitchen puts my mind at ease about looking out for my future health.
Keep the time that’s available to prepare a meal in mind. Some days, are going to be full of training and tasks and might require you to just throw something in a crock pot first thing in the morning and let it ride until mealtime. Other days, you’ll have more time to throw down and maybe enjoy smoking some delicious ribs throughout the day. Plan accordingly.
Keep the tradition alive
Firehouse meals are far more than just eating. They’re a lifeline of connection, support and resilience. By prioritizing these shared moments, firefighting teams transform from colleagues to family, to ensure that they’re mentally and physically prepared for whatever challenges emerge.
