When most people think of firefighters, they obviously think of fires, but in Manhattan, there are not many fires to fight.

"A lot of our calls are medical calls, and there aren't a lot of fire calls," said Rob Samenus, a driver from Manhattan Fire Department's Station No. 1. "Our job description is more medical than it is fire."

DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

According to the department's self-description, it "is charged with fire suppression, rescue and hazardous material incident responses and enforcement of fire, building and nuisance codes."

Though it's called "the fire department," according to the city of Manhattan's 2008 Incident Type Report Summary, only 5.37 percent of calls in 2008 involved fire. In fact, 51 percent were medical in nature, and nearly 19 percent were false alarms.

"I think we're up to about seven calls a day or something like that now, but half of them are medical calls, and with medical calls, you don't suit up," said Battalion Chief Rex Worden. "We go to a lot of alarm sounds, trash cans, car fires."

Any time an ambulance is dispatched to a scene, the fire department also goes, and all MFD firefighters are fully trained in Emergency Medical Services. The firefighters said this does not remove any excitement from their jobs.

"Every time the bells go off, it's unexpected, so there is a little bit of fear in there," Samenus said. "Sometimes it's a little stressful going to medical calls and someone's coding out or [going to] a house fire and someone's trapped inside."

Several members of C Company, the team Worden and Samenus serve on, agreed that their adrenaline is usually pumping as they race to suit up for a call.

ALMOST LIKE FAMILY

The department's firefighters, drivers, lieutenants and battalion chiefs serve on crews that work all their shifts together, working 24 hours "on" and 24 hours "off." The crews each get several days off each week and ultimately work 10 days each month.

Because the members of each company spend so much time working, eating and living together, they develop a closeness with each other that makes them seem like family.

"It's like being around your siblings when you're growing up," Samenus said. "You're constantly being teased, you're constantly being harassed — and it's also good in the same aspect because we're pretty close-knit."

Things can get pretty rough around the station, Kaus said.

"There's nothing sacred here," Lt. Mike Kaus said with a laugh. "You have to have thick skin or you better develop thick skin, or you're not going to stay in this job."

The current members of C Company have been serving together for the last six months, since the newest firefighter, Brian Griffin, joined the shift.

C Company members said there is sometimes a high turnover rate, as new firefighters do not stay on staff for long, but if they can last for the first few years, they become part of the family.

"Pretty much, once you've been here for a few years, you're in here for the long haul," Kaus said.

THE FAMILY AT HOME

Twenty-four-hour shifts obviously keep company members away from home and family for extended periods, which causes different reactions from families.

"Some of them love it — they like having that time away from us," Kaus said. "And then there are others that can't live without having you home all the time. And those are usually the guys that leave early on."

Each company's shifts roll forward two days each week, so members cannot count on having the same days off each week, and families must often be flexible with plans.

"If the kids have a soccer game — or if we have Christmas to celebrate — then you miss out on some of those moments," Samenus said. "You have to adjust. Christmas doesn't always fall on Christmas Day."

However, there is a positive side: with 24-hour shifts come several consecutive days off.

"I have a lot of time to spend with my family, and that's pretty important to me," Samenus said. "That's probably the best part."

Kaus said the time away usually evens out.

"Kids like you home," he said. "The four days off in a row most of the time makes up for being here."

FREE TIME, ADDITIONAL TRAINING

When there are fewer calls for the firefighters to go on, they try to fill their free time with activities. In the past, they have played basketball or volleyball, but when this led to too many injuries, these pastimes were discontinued.

The firefighters also no longer play on their 18-hole Frisbee golf course, so as not to damage MFD equipment, or cards, because the temptation to gamble was too great.

They might hit the weight room for additional physical training or play video games. Some spend time online or reading. Often, the firefighters' families come to the station for a visit.

Kaus said it is not uncommon for them to wash their vehicles during down time, and sometimes they even practice tying knots.

However, occasional fun and games does not mean the firefighters do not take their jobs seriously.

"Most people think we sit around and play checkers all day," Worden said.

According to Fire Services documents, the department's goals are "to respond to calls for emergency services quickly, safely and efficiently; continue specialized training in Emergency Medical Service, Rescue and Hazardous Materials as well as company proficiencies; increase public relations events where needs have been identified; incorporate more scenario-based training; and prepare for construction of two new fire stations."

The MFD headquarters station on Kimball Avenue is home to a fairly new training facility, and there are near-constant opportunities for more training. The firefighters stay current with their medical training and also participate in live or simulated burns.