We believe our first responders deserve the appreciation of our communities every day.

But when significant disasters happen — such as the flooding that destroyed homes and businesses a week ago — we feel the need for that gratitude becomes even more apparent,

Our firefighters, EMTs and police, we are confident, had their own worries. It is understandable that they almost certainly worried about the homes and businesses of family and friends contending with the rising waters. Likely many of the first responders worried about the safety and condition of their own homes.

But they bravely and selflessly set those worries aside to save lives and to serve their communities.

They put their neighbors, in some cases strangers, first.

Many of them, we must also note, are volunteers, serving with the volunteer fire companies found throughout our region. Their bravery and selflessness comes at great personal expense, in terms of time, money and, most of all, personal risk.

We cannot let it be a thankless job.

We feel that in the aftermath of this disaster, it is all the more important to thank them. To acknowledge and pay respect to their service. And to ensure that they have the tools and resources to best continue their public service.

We hope our readers who are able will contribute to efforts by the Trout Run Area Volunteer Fire Co. to rebuild the fire hall damaged in the flooding. We continue to hope, as we’ve editorialized before, that throughout the year we all will find ways of supporting our first responders and of sharing the gratitude for their service that every one of us should feel.

They answer an important call. Our actions and words should reflect that we strive to understand how important that call is.