While many people have the day off on Christmas, not everyone is so lucky. For some, Christmas is just another day on the job.
There are those who are still keeping the city up and running for the holiday.
For a boy who wants to be a firefighter when he grows up, Christmas gifts don't get much better than this.
"It's cool to hang out with my dad and the guys. This is what I want to do when I get older."
Ethan Allanach spent this holiday at Ladder Company 15 with his dad, Nathan. Nathan is one of the crew here at the firehouse in Lower Manhattan.
Like emergency personal everywhere, working on the holiday is part of the job. This year, this father and son are glad to be able to spend it together.
"I'm a single father. He actually just recently moved in with me about a year ago and it's hard at time -- the job itself -- very understanding it's a brotherhood," said Nathan Allanach.
"We all have families too and we try to make the best of it."
The Christmas tree here is in the same room as a memorial to the firefighters from who lost their lives on September 11th. A reminder Lt. Gregory Lynch says, of how quickly life can change at any time on any day.
"We're here for the city for 24 hours, we never close," said Lynch.
And while they're working and trying to make the best of it with decorations on the windows and the trucks -- the pride of South Street thinks of itself as a family.
It's one Ethan and Nate are glad to be part of.
"It goes way back when the fire department first came around you know. That's why you have cousins, fathers and uncles that are one the job," said one Company 15 fireman.
This particular firehouse in Lower Manhattan was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. On this day there were several people working at office buildings in the area along South Street doing renovations -- work that still needs to be done nearly two months after the storm.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:07 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:07:42 GMT
Police says a gay man was shot and killed in Greenwich Village after a man with a gun shouted homophobic slurs at him early Saturday morning. According to authorities, the 32-year-old victim was shot
Police says a gay man was shot and killed in Greenwich Village after a man with a gun shouted homophobic slurs at him early Saturday morning. According to authorities, the 32-year-old victim was shot
Friday, May 17 2013 5:54 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:54:45 GMT
The big game will be played in New Jersey but the big party will be in New York City. Organizers call it "Super Bowl Boulevard."
The big game will be played in New Jersey but the big party will be in New York City. Organizers call it "Super Bowl Boulevard": it will stretch from 44th Street on Broadway all the way to 34th Street.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:21 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:21:42 GMT
A new photo exhibit at an art gallery in Chelsea is drawing the ire of residents who are the artist's subjects, unknowingly.
A new photo exhibit at an art gallery in Chelsea is drawing the ire of residents who are the artist's subjects, unknowingly. The artist, Arne Svenson, is reportedly taking the photos through their TriBeCa building windows. In some photos, the residents are bending over, sleeping and cleaning.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:06:34 GMT
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
A smuggling ring that made a fortune selling more than a million cartons of untaxed cigarettes in New York may have funneled some of the illicit proceeds to terrorist groups, authorities said.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:36:00 GMT
A water taxi struck a dock at Pier A and Battery Park Place in Manhattan on Thursday, according to FDNY officials. Two people suffered minor injuries. They refused medical attention.
A water taxi struck a dock at Pier A and Battery Park Place in Manhattan on Thursday, according to FDNY officials. Two people suffered minor injuries. They refused medical attention.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:17 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:17:42 GMT
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City.
Several New York lawmakers are sounding the alarm about security and safety lapses at day care centers across New York City. In a report released Thursday, dozens of daycares cited by the Dept. of Health for serious and critical health code violations since 2010, have not fixed the problems and continue to operate without penalty.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-16 03:08:35 GMT
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
A judge in Manhattan put the brakes on the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow because the Nissan-built minivan does not come in a hybrid version -- a violation of the city code.
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