We have to live for 24 hours together. Here, this is our home. In most urban departments, firefighters work 24-hour shifts. The schedule involves a rotation of three shifts, so that two of every three days are free. Since firefighters literally live together for 24 hours, the firehouse becomes a combination of work and home, and coworkers constitute a sort of second family.
Firefighters often spend more time with crew members than with their own families.
The station is fashioned like home, placed in a work setting. There are officer's quarters, a dormitory-type sleeping area, a communal bathroom with showers and toilets, a big kitchen and a lounge or TV room. In most stations, meals are eaten at a large table in the kitchen. Outdoor areas may also include a barbecue, a patio or a deck. Firefighters share personal living space and eat meals together while on duty.