GAINESVILLE-

Thousands of americans enjoy a day off on Thanksgiving, but for others it's a regular work day.
In some cases that means not spending turkey day at home with the family.
 

While some fireifghters are out responding to calls, others are cooking up a storm. Even though they are working and can't make it home, they make sure their families come to them.
 

It's what they do. Respond to calls and help the citizens of Gainesville. No matter the day.

"Even though we would like to be home with our families, we know what we signed up to do when we became fire fighters . That the day would come that we would have to work some Thanksgivings and some other holidays," said District Chief Richard Salusberry.
 

While they all accept their duties some said it's a challenge not to be home with the family. Like Lesile Lane who is mother of three.

"I have mixed feelings about that. You always want to be at home and you feel you need to be there to provide and cook for your family and being the mom you tend to bring all the family in," said Lane.

"Most of my thanksgivings are here pretty much. I've been here for four years and four of those times I've been here. It's kind of become a regular tradition," said Brett Thomas.

Thta means having a huge feast for them and their families.

I got a chance to see them at work, but in the kitchen. Making everything from turkey to stuffing to pumpkin pie.

"Have you guy ever burned anything or started a fire while cooking?"
"No," said Herbert Ennis.
"You haven't?"
"No," said Ennis.
"Are you sure?"
"I am positive," said Ennis.

While some cook others dance while washing dishes.
They even gave me a sneak peak of what they do when battling a fire.
They took up in the basket 100 feet up in the air, but I decided I was better off on safer grounds and I didn't want to miss the moment families arrived at the station.

Some of the firefighters had their wives, children mothers, and fathers come to the fire house to give a special thanks.

While they dig in and sit at the table with their family,.they all know that at any moment their job comes first.

"When the emergency arrives we drop what we are doing and respond quickly and efficiently," said Salusberry.

Salusberry said they don't get many calls on the holiday.
At around 12 p.m., they responded to about four calls, but of course that can change at any moment.