Just Our Thoughts

I value these men and women! They are hard working and devoted individuals. They make sacrifices many of us would never dream of having to make. I mean, as a mom, I am up a number of times a night but I don't have to get fully dressed in a hurry after being abruptly woken from a deep sleep by a screaming pager. And then have to rush from home in all sorts of weather.

These men and women provide such a valuable service and are under appreciated. The volunteer fire fighters in this community are often the people you see volunteering at many other events in the community. They are givers in their day to day lives. Time. Energy. Resources. Families. And what do they get in return? False alarms. Minor disputes. Interrupted work days.

The fire fighters (and other responders, I'm sure) in our little town are tired! Some of them are sick (fall colds and flu). They need sleep to get better and responding to false alarms in the middle of the night does not allow for that much needed rest! They need sleep! Those who are well enough are responding and doing so without much complaint; that's what they do! What are they responding to these days? Legitimate calls - like vehicle roll overs. Grass fires, that are already out by the time they get there. False alarms, that are repeated at the same building! Petty neighbor disputes, in the middle of the night.

I am the wife of one of these overworked men. Men who have regular day jobs and families. I am a wife who makes sure her man gets out of the door in the shortest time possible each time we are awakened by the screaming pager. I love to see the dedication and loyalty my man give his fire fighting team. (He's missed one call this year!) I am supportive of his involvement and do everything I can to make his service and the service of the others has easy to do as possible. Because of this, it pains me greatly when I see and hear that these men and women are over tired and ill, and they are getting calls that could easily be resolved with a little common sense and without waking them from the sleep they so desperately need right now.

Fellow citizens, I call you to think! Please think before you make that prank or unnecessary call in the middle of the night. Save the energy of these fine men and women for the real calls, like your arena burning down, or your public schools, or heaven forbid, your home!