Dallas, TX

Firefighters on duty this Christmas create special traditions

Published

1 month ago

December 26, 2025

Firefighters on duty this Christmas create special traditions

While many families across North Texas gathered at home for Christmas, firefighters at Dallas Fire Station 27 spent the holiday on duty. As they work to protect the city, they also lean on one another as family.

” I just love being a firefighter, just spending time with my second family here,” Francisco Amaro said.

Amaro is the driver engineer for Engine 27. He’s been a firefighter for more than a decade.

Even on Christmas Day, the station remained fully staffed, with firefighters working long shifts and responding to calls as usual. Though they missed being home with loved ones, the crew created holiday traditions of their own.

“All of us would probably rather be at home with our families on Christmas Day or on Thanksgiving, things like that. But we try to have a good attitude,” Lt. Justin McKinney said.

McKinney has served the City of Dallas for nearly 14 years.

“With us being here, that means the other people that work different shifts, they get to be home with their families,” McKinney said.

Inside the station, the sounds of preparation filled the air as firefighters split wood, fired up a smoker and cooked a holiday meal together.

The menu included familiar favorites like ham, mac and cheese, and sweet potato casserole.

One firefighter made cinnamon rolls from a recipe older than the station itself.

“This is my great-grandmother’s recipe,” Holly said.

“We’re going to smoke some meat out on the smoker,” said McKinney. “We try to make it feel as traditional as possible.”

While most of us were unwrapping gifts and gathering around the table…Some Dallas crews were clocking in at one fire station, where Christmas looks a little different, but is still full of heart and familiar traditions. NBC 5’s Alicia Barrera reports.

For many firefighters, the station has become a second home. Crew members say they spend a significant portion of their lives together, relying on one another both on and off the job.

“It’s like our second family. We spend a third of our lives with these people,” McKinney said.

This Christmas, firefighters also welcomed the ones who support them most, bridging the gap between duty and home.

McKinney said the sacrifices of working holidays can be difficult, but the work remains meaningful.

“I’ve always wanted a job that was kind of bigger than me,” McKinney said. “Being there on somebody’s worst day and being able to hopefully make a difference in somebody’s life, I get a lot of value out of that.”

For some, the distance from home is felt most during the holidays. Firefighter Chad Russ said he asked for a simple Christmas gift this year. He wanted something to remind him of his family while responding to emergency calls.

“It’s just a little insert that goes into our helmet. It kind of helps me remember, stay safe, while I am away from the house, no way I can come back to them,” Russ said.

The insert features a picture of his wife Holly and their two daughters Parker and Spencer.

“When you take it off after a fire,” Russ said, “you can look at it and know you’re going to make it home to them.”

As Christmas came and went, the firefighters of Station 27 remained ready for the next call, supported by tradition, teamwork and the families who help keep them going.

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Dallas, TX

DAL@STL Postgame: Glen Gulutzan | Dallas Stars

Published

12 hours ago

January 28, 2026

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DAL@STL Postgame: Glen Gulutzan | Dallas Stars

DallasStars.com is the official Web site of DSE Hockey Club, L.P. The Dallas Stars primary logo is a registered trademark and the Stars name and secondary logos are trademarks of the Dallas Stars. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. Copyright © 1999-2025 DSE Hockey Club, L.P. and the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.

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Dallas, TX

LIVE: Road conditions in DFW for Tuesday

Published

24 hours ago

January 27, 2026

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LIVE: Road conditions in DFW for Tuesday

DALLAS – After briefly ending the subfreezing streak, it remains bitterly cold this morning. Any lingering moisture has iced over, resulting in patches of black ice on exposed surfaces. Residents should exercise extra caution.

Roads remain slick in many areas. The safest option is to stay off the roads until more significant melting occurs this afternoon.

With melting adding moisture to the air and light winds on Tuesday night, there is a risk of fog as temperatures drop back below freezing. The risk is highest north and west of the Metroplex. Freezing fog is particularly dangerous, as it can create a thin layer of ice on any surface it touches. This may spread across North Texas after 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Live Traffic Map

Road Conditions – Tuesday, Jan. 25

10:30 a.m.: DFW road conditions

The roads are still a little rough. According to FOX 4 traffic reporter Chip Waggoner, transition areas are the worst in this period of flux.

You have the highways and the toll roads that have been sanded and graded, but you also have on and off ramps and the secondary streets that remain untouched.

“It’s pretty dangerous and treacherous there. That’s why I think one more day of staying home is going to be worth your while,” he said.

As temperatures get above freezing on Tuesday afternoon, some of the ice should begin to melt.

8:50 a.m.: Road conditions around Fort Worth

8:40 a.m.: Trouble on I-30 continues

8:20 a.m.: Road conditions in Collin County

8 a.m.: Trouble on I-30

6:40 a.m.: Icy conditions

5:30 a.m.: I-35E at Hwy. 66

5:15 a.m.: Stay home if you can

Track Icy Road Conditions

If the roads are icy, the best thing you can do is stay home. If you must drive in inclement weather, allow additional time to reach your destination and share your travel plans with a friend or family member, so someone knows the route you’re taking.

If you must drive in inclement weather, allow additional time to reach your destination and share your travel plans with a friend or family member, so someone knows the route you’re taking.

When driving on icy roads, drive slowly and increase the distance between your vehicle and others when stopping. Do not use cruise control during poor driving conditions and ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas before you head out.

Safety officials tell Texans to be aware and approach bridges and overpasses slowly as ice can accumulate before drivers are able to see it on the roads. Drivers should also watch for downed trees and power lines. If a stoplight is out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

Safe driving protocols

What you can do:

Safety officials ask Texans to keep a well-stocked emergency kit with warm clothes, food, water, cell phone battery/charger and first aid items.

Here are some other tips to help you stay ahead of winter weather:

Use an all-hazards weather radio for up-to-date warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information.
Sign up for calls or texts from your local emergency notification system.
Insulate outside faucets and pipes near outer walls.
Make sure furnaces, heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves are clean, well-ventilated and in good working condition.
Keep space heaters at least three feet away from walls and combustible materials and make sure to turn them off when you’re away or sleeping. (Also ensure that space heaters cannot tip over and that the cord is not damaged)
Check on friends and family members whose health or age may put them at greater risk.
Stock up on firewood and supplies, including canned goods, bottled water and medication.
Ensure your vehicle’s safety by making sure doors and trunk locks are properly lubricated to prevent them from freezing. Also, check your vehicle’s battery, windshield wipers, tire pressure and tire tread.

Texas DPS also recommends individuals to check their vehicle’s fluid levels and have a well-stocked emergency kit that includes warm clothes, food, water, cell phone battery/charger and first aid items.

Have a way to get updates

Watch live coverage on your phone

With severe winter weather on the way this weekend, you should have a way to get important updates if the power goes out.

The FOX LOCAL app will allow you to stay up to date with livestreams, the latest forecasts, news stories and weather alerts in real time, all from your mobile phone or tablet.

Stay connected with FOX 4 News. For winter storm coverage — Download Now.

Get county emergency alerts

You can also sign up to get alerts sent to your phone from your county’s emergency office.

The Source: Information in this article comes from TxDOT, Traffic reporter Chip Waggoner, and previous FOX 4 coverage.

TrafficWinter WeatherDallasFort Worth

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Dallas, TX

Four Cowboys assistant coaches depart as changes begin under new DC Christian Parker

Published

1 day ago

January 27, 2026

Press Room

Four Cowboys assistant coaches depart as changes begin under new DC Christian Parker

As part of the coaching staff changes under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, the Cowboys on Monday let three assistants go, two people with knowledge of the decision told The Dallas Morning News on Monday.

Defensive passing game coordinator/safeties coach Andre Curtis, secondary/cornerbacks coach David Overstreet II and linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi were let go by the organization.

On Monday night, Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton left the organization to become the Tennessee Titans’ defensive run game coordinator/defensive line coach.

Whitecotton is the defensive coordinator for the East team in the East-West Shrine Bowl game, which will take place Tuesday at The Star in Frisco.

Curtis and Overstreet led a defensive back group that gave up the second-most touchdowns (35) in the NFL in 2025. The secondary was hampered by injuries to both projected starting corners, Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, along with safeties Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker.

The Cowboys’ 2025 third-round pick, cornerback Shavon Revel, missed the start of the season recovering from ACL surgery.

The linebackers also had health issues, as middle linebacker Jack Sanborn — who signed in free agency — suffered a groin injury in October and was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 3.

Kenneth Murray, a weakside linebacker, moved to middle linebacker and, while leading the team in tackles, struggled during the season.

The defensive line group lost star pass rusher Micah Parsons a week before the start of the 2025 season, as he was traded to the Green Bay Packers. However, the Cowboys acquired two talented interior linemen in Kenny Clark (in Parsons trade) and Quinnen Williams, obtained in a trade deadline deal.

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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