Volunteers: New truck, but same old dedication to their community

The Rosewood Volunteer Fire Department is celebrating the arrival of a new $530,000 truck that will allow the department to better serve the community.

And yes, it is something to celebrate. It takes a lot of money to get a rescue-equipped truck of this caliber -- and it will save lives.

But we would be remiss if we did not mention something else, too, while we have your ear.

Please note this is a VOLUNTEER fire department.

That means that all of the men and women who respond to calls -- and who assist the professional firefighters in other areas -- are doing so on their own time, at their own expense.

And that is something equally as important to honor and to recognize.

Many of these departments across the county are staffed by generations of volunteer firefighters from families with long traditions of serving their communities.

They take risks to make sure their communities are safe, and they do not get paid.

Making sure they have the equipment they need and the support they deserve is a critical piece of business in this county.

And taking the time to thank them for the work they do is the least we can do as the people they serve.

Published in Editorials on September 19, 2015 11:40 PM