Steve Frey
Our nation solemnly remembered the people who were killed in the 9/11 attacks last week. Among those who died that day were many, many first responders—firefighters, EMTs and police officers—men and women who gave their lives to save others.
Over the weekend, we again witnessed first responders who bravely went where no others could or should in order to preserve the lives of their fellow human beings.
These first responders deserve our respect and appreciation.
What makes a firefighter go into that burning building and risk his or her life? How does a police officer walk down a dark alley not knowing what may be at the end of it?
How many difficult treks to the hospital does an EMT make in a week?
Is it related to lessons taught at home, church or school about love and charity? Does it have something to do with stories heard in their youth about heroic deeds committed by those who live by a chivalric code?
Or is it all about caring for our fellow human beings and recognizing the fact that we are all connected—we are all part of the human race, and we should take care of one another.
This weekend we again witnessed the courage, devotion to duty and compassion that sent men and women into the heart of a storm to save the lives of others.
We saw firefighters loaded in trucks heading out into flooded streets in search of people stranded and alone.
We saw first responders carrying frightened young children in their arms to safety. We saw them in pontoon boats taking families back to dry land and shelter.
Long lines of trucks and boats wound along interstate highways carrying men and women from faraway states like New York and Mississippi.
They dropped everything that they had going on in their lives and left loved ones behind to serve and protect people they don’t even know.
The same thing happens with utility trucks and snowplows heading north to disasters in the freezing cold of winter or extreme storms there.
Again, extended caravans follow the string of interstate off into the blizzard with one thing in mind: to help alleviate the pain and suffering of fellow human beings. Kindness and compassion rule the day for first responders—every day.
Yes, they are in the forefront of our thoughts this week because we see them together in large numbers achieving heroic deeds.
We see the heartwarming stories on television and websites as they endlessly search for those who need assistance.
Perhaps we take our heroes for granted at times, though.
Every day, police officers go off into that great unknown. They never know what they will run into on that next watch.
EMTs and nurses have the potential to save lives on every shift. Often, they are the last ones people may talk to or see before the end of their lives. Firefighters spend shift after shift preparing for the inevitable night when they will need to climb those stairs into a burning building to answer the muffled cries on an upper floor.
Sometimes the duty is also putting up barricades in the middle of the night in the pounding rain. Other times it’s the road patrol in frigid weather. Sometimes it’s helping at an emergency shelter.
It could even be as the resource officer working with children at a school to prevent the unthinkable. Devotion to duty comes in many forms.
They are heroes, all.
They have different occupations and skill sets, but there is something inside them that puts their actions on automatic pilot in emergencies, and all they are thinking about is saving a fellow human being, someone to whom they are connected by our common humanity.
How do you thank men and women who are willing to sacrifice everything for you? These are people who have families of their own (families who often wait anxious hours for their loved ones to come home) but put your family first when everything is on the line. They don’t see color, religion, nationality or any other factor.
Are they human? Yes. Do they make mistakes? Sure, sometimes. We all do.
But when the chips are down, they are the ones you want to see in times of distress. They are the ones you can count on to be there and help.
So thank you, first responders, for your assistance in this emergency and for the next time, because there is always a next time. We thank you for your kindness and caring. We are all connected in life, and you are often the cornerstone that holds us together.
Finally, know that you are sincerely appreciated for helping in disasters like Hurricane Florence, but you are also valued when you are saving lives or aiding others without attention or notoriety, and the only recognition may come from the person you help who, with tear-filled eyes quietly whispers, “Thank you.”
Steve Frey is a writer and CEO of Ascendant Educational Services based in Radford.
