Most people on the street know firefighters eat at work and do other stuff as shown on TV or in movies. They have no idea of the complex social system that exits behind those roll-up doors.
While traveling in Italy years ago I visited a firehouse in Florence. While being given a tour, I noticed the cabinets in the kitchen had padlocks on them. When I asked, I was informed it was to protect against, "The other shifts stealing our food." Same problem the world over. Food and all that implies is a integral part of our lives.

In San Jose, house dues are collected by a volunteer. This was a nominal sum of $5-$10 a month in my time to cover basic kitchen items. Sounds simple? The definition of basic kitchen items has caused major agitation to the point of physical altercation. Salt and sugar, sure. Peanut butter, jam, crackers, maybe. Coffee, regular or the good stuff? Regular and you hear, " I can't drink that s-t,"; expensive and someone is going to beef about not drinking coffee and wanting red licorice.

Each shift, if it is running well, should have an eating group. At big houses, we had 11 to 15 people down to a small station of 4. It was my experience if the house did not eat together there were issues. When I came on, the cooks at the big houses were treated very well. They did not do house duties or have to get up to wipe down rigs after runs in the rain. Yes, folks, we wiped down the rigs every time we went out in the rain. I am all for tradition, but I changed that one when I made captain. Cooks also rated a helper and worked most of the day to put together lunch and dinner. Big lunches of sandwiches and soup. Huge dinners and if someone was working overtime they brought in copious desserts.

We were lucky to have a fisherman at Station 10. Fresh salmon during the season, crab, and abalone.
I cooked for most of my career. I was told in the Academy that no one screws with the cook so another firehouse cook was born. Cooking food that was reheatable was very important. It seemed every other dinner was interrupted by a run. I still have the habit of eating really fast so I will get some food in me before the bell goes off when I do not jump to the bells anymore.
Thanks to all for comments.