Key Biscayne Fire and Rescue personnel's job is to put out fires and respond to medical emergencies, but the fire station has a family atmosphere centered around the kitchen and meal times.
During a recent visit to the station, the firefighters described their relationships as being like a crazy, dysfunctional family, but their friendship is clear.
I sat down with Captain Daniel Fenney, who has been a firefighter since 1993, to find out more about what dining at the fire station is like and his Fourth of July plans.
Pots and pans clanged nearby, country music was playing, and there was laughter and conversation everywhere. At the head of the group was designated chef Keith Bean, preparing lunch.
The chef role is time-intensive and rotated among staff members for each 24-hour shift, but like most families, it's a collaborative effort.
Firefighter and chef Keith Bean poses with his homemade banana bread.
“Our meals are traditionally chef-driven,” Feeney says, “some people put in minimal effort, others shop and make everything in one day, sauces and all. We're always trying to reduce the burden on the cook. It's no different to any other household.”
That day, sous chefs Gerardo Caldas and Christopher Lozano were in charge of the grill, while firefighter-in-training Jessica Cejas was in charge of cleaning. Together, they helped Bean prepare chicken and steak tacos with vegetables, pico de gallo, house-made cilantro and chipotle sauce.
“It's no coincidence that Bean was invited to do the cookout day; he is hands down our best chef,” Feeney said.
Bean's father was also a firefighter and fire department chef for 30 years and was known throughout Miami-Dade County for his delicious food. With Bean in the kitchen, the Key Biscayne Fire Department has competed in cooking contests throughout Miami and even competed at the Miami Food & Wine Festival last year.
“The kitchen is where we solve the world's problems,” Lozano said when asked about the kitchen and dining atmosphere.
Bean added: “We make fun of each other. We laugh together. We cry together. It's family fun and bonding.”
Even though disagreements arise from time to time, they come together around the table to talk things through, solve each other's problems, and learn from each other about life outside the station.
This relationship is crucial to team trust and the effectiveness of your calls.
The team receives a call during lunch.
Everyone is expected to get together at meal times, even if the people working aren't eating. “You get to air all your problems and it brings you closer to each other. I've been a captain for a while and it makes a big difference. It brings everybody together. It's like a family. You can almost hear the brothers and sisters arguing,” Feeney said.
As family ties grow within the fire station, firefighters feel free to share this second home with their families during the holidays.
The Fourth of July is a busy day for the fire department as they take part in a huge parade, show off their trucks and equipment, and spray water, just as they have done for years. For residents who watch the parade, it's a beloved tradition.
Barbecues and other events for firefighters' families Caja China Cubana The person in charge of the pig roast was Lazaro Lima. “Roasting pigs is my job,” Lima said. “For the last five years, I've participated in the pig roast cooking contest in February to raise money for cancer patients.”
Once lunch was served at the table, we all gathered and sat down in our designated seats to enjoy our meal. Eating lunch together was the quietest moment of my time there.
As we shared bread (toasted tortillas in this case), Fire Chief Eric Lang reiterated the importance of sharing a meal together: “A team that eats together is stronger together. It really makes a difference when we do our jobs.”
For our final #tasteofkb feature on the Islanders, click here.
