Saying 'thank you' to our first responders

Scanner traffic and sirens have been a way of life for me. You don’t work in a newsroom without learning to listen since you might need to chase those sirens to let the public know what is happening.

Tuesday, I was on my way to work when I heard sirens and saw smoke in my neighborhood. The fire on Poplar Street cost one family their home and possessions, but they and their dog Larry survived. I cannot imagine what it would be like to have all my possessions destroyed.

During my time at the paper. I’ve gotten to know many of the emergency workers. Some of them are like family.

As I watched the firefighters battling the blaze inside and outside the home, with smoke and flames shooting out of the attic at all different angles, I thought about their family members who may not know they are in harm’s way. Then, I realized each time they leave for work their loved ones know they might be putting their lives on the line.

I know they tell their loved ones they will be OK, just like my family members in the military tell me before each deployment, not to worry. Well, I do worry just like their families. In today’s world, I’m always relieved to get a text or see a post from them after an incident somewhere else in the world.

I, like most bystanders, was appreciative of the comfortable 67 degrees until I realized the firefighters were in their protective gear with tanks strapped to their bodies. I was happy to see the fire at a point when they finally were able to re-hydrate themselves in small groups before relieving coworkers continuing their assault.

Looking around at the crowd, many were neighbors, but others were police officers, municipal utilities employees, street department employees and representatives from other city departments. Ninth street was closed and blocked by police vehicles. An emergency medical services crew from Butler County EMS was there. A Smith & Co. Engineers employee walked to the scene to check on everyone.

They were there to help their friends and neighbors and, if need be, to step in to make the scene safer.

While Poplar Bluff is bigger than most of the communities around us, we’re still a small community. Most everyone knows their neighbors. If you don’t personally know them, you care about their welfare. I know I care.

The next time you see the guys who run into burning building, the ones who would step between you and a bullet, or the ones who make certain you have power or make the streets safe to use, stop and join me in saying “thank you.”

Oh, by the way watch out for people with note pads and cameras, they too are doing their jobs — keeping you informed.