Gratitude Post #2 - Thankful for our Firefighters, First Responders & Other Emergency Personnel
How can one say enough thanks for the firefighters, first responders and other emergency personnel this year…or in many years here in California?!
No doubt many have seen the horrific photos, videos, and live coverage of the fires raging in California, with multiple fires happening at the same time, and often spreading rapidly due to windy conditions and record dry vegetation. While wildfires are common here it’s never something one gets accustomed to, just as you don’t with other natural disasters happening in other parts of the country.
Words just don’t say enough for what our California firefighters, and those from other states, as well as the first responders and other emergency personnel have had to do (and in some areas continue to do) to combat these wildfires and save as many homes, but more importantly people, as possible. They put their lives on the line, and work countless hours with little time for a break.
Photo from the 2014 Carlsbad Fires
Putting their lives on the line for hours and days at a time is not something the rest of us can even begin to comprehend, in situations that at times seem impossible, and incredibly dangerous, to deal with. The devastation in some areas is beyond description, and yet one has to be thankful it is not worse than it is in some areas, and that thousands of homes, and lives, have been spared despite massive destruction.
And we are all grateful for many people who help in other ways during these disastrous wildfires – staffing evacuation centers, medical staff, helping people and pets to escape and find shelter – and those who simply step in to help neighbors and people they don’t even know in any way that they can, because they can.
It’s a lot to be grateful for, don’t you think?!
NOTE: Today, a red flag warning has been issued again here in San Diego into Monday, with increasing fire conditions due the higher temps (in the 80s in Carlsbad but expected to be into the 90s in some areas), dry vegetation, and increasing winds expected. No doubt other areas are impacted throughout Southern California. Thanks to the Emergency Alert System on our phones in our area for making us aware.
Entry #2 in the November 2019 Gratitude Challenge
