Squad cars and firetrucks roamed the District’s empty streets Thursday, while most Washingtonians slept off their turkey-induced stupor — a reminder that D.C. public safety officials don’t have holidays. But some first responders convened briefly in a makeshift “Mayflower” to chow down on turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin soup with their second family, of sorts, in what has become an annual Thanksgiving gathering for a few hundred police and fire workers.

“This is the next best thing to sitting at home with your family,” said Barbara Muller, a canine officer and 17-year veteran of the U.S. Park Police, surrounded by fellow officers and firefighters working on turkey day. “This has become my Thanksgiving tradition. All the people in this room have a natural bond together. It’s really quite nice.”