Firefighters, like ambulance and police staff, offered 24-hour, seven-day services, he said.
But, it's not all hard work.
Mr Brown and three others on duty will cook a barbecue and their families are allowed to join them at the station.
"Obviously if there is a fire call, that is the end of that. We do plan to have a shared lunch and spend time with our families, so the day is not a total loss."
He plans to knock off at 6pm, but must then complete a 24-hour shift on Boxing Day.
Leaving his much-loved family tomorrow was just a part of the job, he said.
"The public expects that if they do call 111, a fire engine, an ambulance or the police will be available to help them."
The chef
Oaktree Restaurant head chef Jorg Burgi said he would be at work at 6.30am.
Two others will join him at dawn to prepare for the Tauranga RSA's big Christmas lunch, which will feed 230 people.
"Ham on the bone, turkey and gravy, rosemary-encrusted lamb, seafood, big dessert buffet, big salad buffet — all the trimmings."
Mr Burgi said he started prepping for the meal yesterday with Christmas morning being for finishing touches, decorating and setting out the buffet.
It will be the fourth year in a row he has worked on Christmas Day, he said.
"It's not something I want to do, but I am in charge so it is something I have to do."
The midwife
Bethlehem Birthing Centre midwife Kay Daley will arrive at work at 7.30am on Christmas Day. "I have worked a lot of Christmas Days," she said. "As a midwife, you tend to."
The day was a mixed bag.
"Babies can come at any time, and you don't know how busy or quiet you will be.
"Other mothers who have been in for a few days are itching to get home Christmas morning, too, so it can be quite busy.
"Like an emergency department, you have no idea how many people will come through your door."
She will finish the day at 7.30pm and celebrate Christmas on Boxing Day with her family.
The women's refuge worker
A Tauranga Women's Refuge crisis line worker said she would leave home in the morning to check on the four families staying in the safe house.
"Just call in and see how they are," she said. "It's a lonely place to be on Christmas Day."
She will head to the community office for a few hours to man the phones for crisis calls, but will be able to head home in the afternoon to join her family for a hangi.
If there was a crisis call, she would have to head back to work.
She did not mind the work because it was her passion, and would go to work on Boxing Day, too.
"It lets those in the safe house know that others are thinking of them and giving them a little bit of love around Christmas.
"It's also security for them. To know that one of us is here and working, too."
