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Every year, the first week in May is designated Public Service Recognition Week. We are a little late this year recognizing our public servants, but, really it is never too late. Every day, public servants carry out critical work that allows our society to function. We rely on public servants for our daily safety through emergency services and preventing crime and terrorism, to ensure that we build and maintain the physical infrastructure allowing us to move from place to place, communicate across long distances, power our homes or drink clear water. They educate our children, administer critical social programs like Social Security and Medicare, and much more.
While public service deserves to be celebrated and valued all year long, we’re not there yet. For now, a week will have to do – and what a week it is. Here’s how to make the most of Public Service Recognition Week.
The most important thing you can do for Public Service Recognition Week is also the simplest to do: Say “thank you” to your colleagues and other people you know who work in public service.
In times of chaos and every day on the job, first responders are heroes who keep our communities safe, calm and protected from harm. Being a first responder takes a special kind of person.
There are some characteristics we see in the firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians, nurses, and other professions who are on the frontline every day. First, they want to help. They wake up every day to help others. They work long and hard hours. Yes, they may complain from time to time. They get tired like we all do, but they see the ultimate good in their work. Whether they are on or off the clock, they cannot pass a dire situation and not try to help. They seek to make our communities and the world a better place.
Public servants are committed to the task. They are flexible and adaptable. During wildfires, firefighters may work for hours and sleep wherever and whenever they can in between shifts. Police officers must be ready to act quickly no matter what their calls may bring. Emergency managers cannot control Mother Nature, but they must roll with the punches to offer safety with the resources that they are given. First responders are flexible and aim to provide the best of their services, no matter the situation.
Nurses may work double shifts to see that patients get the best of care.
Every day, first responders put their lives on the line for our communities. They sacrifice time with their families and the traditional hours of a 9-to-5 job to protect our citizens. They put themselves in the line of fire – sometimes literally – for others they barely know. First responders are never self-centered, and they put others before themselves.
In conclusion, first responders are the backbones of our communities, and we appreciate their service and devotion to our community and its citizens.