I know I blogged a little while ago about the folks who work the overnight hours. Specifically, I was talking about our first responders. Still, you just can't say thanks enough. I guess this blog stems from the helicopter crash in Flagstaff... and thinking back to the times I worked with fire crews on various stories... and having to call on emergency services myself a time or two. Bottom line: thank you.
Consider this: it's going to be, what, around 111 or 112 today? Imagine being a firefighter in this weather... it's already hot enough when you're wearing shorts and a t-shirt. But turnouts!? 60 pounds of gear?! Fighting a wildfire or a house fire... which, if I'm not mistaken, adds at least a couple hundred degrees to our daytime highs. Wow.
Then, there are those who work as EMT's. I can't imagine the magnitude and range of human condition you see. And regardless of age, status... anything... you work to sustain life - the very thing that connects us to this earth.
Our police officers who work to maintain order and safety - who deal with the side of society that's not always savory and can be downright dangerous.
You know -- I think we take your services and efforts for granted a lot of the time. Sadly, sometimes it takes tragedy for your services to be put in the spotlight. I'm sorry for that... because in your day to day duties, there are so many "good news" stories that don't get airtime or printed in the daily papers. I'm talking about the life saved, the burglary averted, the home spared.
However, this time, your services became the big story of the day... because of an accidental tragedy. This time, though, I think we all should pause and collectively thank all of you for what you do. Thank you for your tireless efforts and protecting us from failing health, flame, or felon.
Thank you.