Sentinel-News Editorial

This week provides local students, businesses and workers an opportunity to brush up on their safety skills during National Fire Prevention Week. The annual event focuses on raising awareness about what to do when the unthinkable happens, but it also gives us the chance to commend area emergency personnel for their service to the community.

It's easy to forget about them. After all, it's not every day we have an emergency. However, the selfless commitment these men and women give to our communities shouldn't go unnoticed. Local EMT squads, fire departments and police officers dedicate countless hours to assure our safety and well being, and it's important to acknowledge their service on a year-round basis.

Most rural communities like O'Brien and Clay counties are facing a similar situation right now. Numbers at most volunteer fire departments and EMT squads could be better, but those that serve are loyal stewards and watchdogs of their hometowns. That's certainly commendable in today's day and age. Busy work schedules, kids' extracurricular activities and other commitments often consume any spare time. Despite all that, our local volunteers are able to commit countless hours towards training and ongoing education to ensure our safety.

National Fire Prevention Week comes at a pertinent time in rural communities like ours. Harvest season provides many opportunities for traffic mishaps, fires and other emergencies. Conditions are just right for accidents to spring up, be it a combine fire or car/tractor collision on the highway. Our area's emergency personnel are at the ready to respond to an incident no matter the circumstance, and without their dedication and guidance, this time of the year would be even more hectic. It's great to know they have our backs in case something terrible happens.

Local emergency personnel do a lot more than respond to car accidents, medical situations or house fires. They're our weather spotters during severe summer storms and they also serve the community as educational resources. Be it teaching fire safety tips to elementary students or grain bin rescue lessons at local elevators, these men and women help our county's residents by bettering their knowledge and skills during extreme circumstances. Sometimes "stop, drop and roll" doesn't always fit the situation at hand, and area personnel do a great job of informing the public on various safety methods.

Instances of emergency are rare, but they happen. However, they make us realize how important our local emergency crews are towards ensuring the safety of our communities. The individuals that comprise these groups could very well turn the other cheek and opt not to sacrifice their time and efforts, but they've decided to give back to the communities in which they live. It's definitely a lesson in which we all should take note.

National Fire Prevention Week reminds us our local emergency response crews are ready to help out every hour of every day of every month. Their services may be used sparingly, but that makes them no less vital. The safety and well being of our county's residents would be significantly jeopardized if it weren't for the efforts of these individuals.