It’s Fire Prevention Week, and once again we have set aside space in our paper to honour the local firefighters who routinely put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe.
When you think of jobs that are truly difficult (even dangerous), ‘firefighter’ is sure to be at the top of the list. Few professions have as much of an immediate and crucial impact on a community.
You will certainly come to understand a fire department’s value if the day ever comes that you have an immediate need for their services.
A remarkable thing to keep in mind about our local firefighters is that they are volunteers. They are not paid to do what they do. They have other lives, other careers away from their fire halls.
After their long day of work is done, they don’t go home and flop down on the couch like most of us do. Instead, they stand on call for their community, ready to respond at a moment’s notice if the worst should happen.
The bravery inherent in doing something as perilous as fighting fires cannot be understated. That there are so many volunteers in our communities ready and able to take on that task, and to do so for no other reward than to know they are serving and protecting their fellow residents, is truly remarkable.
And it’s not something anyone should take for granted. Be grateful for the presence of these heroes all year round, but especially this week, be sure to stop and say thank you.
