Grateful for those who keep us safe

In this issue of The Times, on Page 9, we salute some of the people who keep us safe.

National Police Week is Mary 14- 20, and National EMS Week is May 21-27. The Times, and its advertisers, pay tribute to the men and women who undergo extensive training and put their own well-being at risk to keep the rest of us safe.

The job of a police officer or a medical first responder is a highstress job. For the most part, they deal with people who are having a very bad day... They have been the victim of a crime, they are involved in some sort of dispute, they have been in an accident or they are in urgent need of medical attention.

I grew up with a special respect for police officers and EMS providers. My dad was one of the founders of the New Prague Ambulance, a volunteer group that provided ambulance service from the late 1960s until just a few years ago, when North Ambulance took over those duties. Many of the ambulance personnel, including my father, were also involved with the Police Reserve, which assisted the local police as needed for crowd control and special details. I also have several relatives involved in law enforcement. The dedication required for both of these callings deserve our respect and appreciation.