Bob and Joan Miller Community Service Award

The smoke was at our ankles, rolling in the black air, and I paused in the doorway. The wailing sirens of the fire trucks and alarms rang out, echoing into the night, but I knew that I had to keep my mind focused on our main goal: to protect people and property to the best of our ability. The weight of my gear holding me down took in the scene. There were cars in the driveway, but they were not lit, and all I could do was wonder if there could be a family who is stranded, hoping for our help, stuck inside, praying to be rescued. In that moment, memories of the numerous family dinners and personal time sacrificed to this work flooded my mind. The birthdays, the holidays, the Sunday afternoons alone at home—I had sacrificed so much for this calling. A surge of determination and responsibility ran through me, and I remembered why I had done this. We headed straight for the house, quickly located the fire, and worked diligently to put it out. The thick smoke stung our eyes, but we moved forward with all the remaining training and effort we had. We were leaving the premises when we saw the family outside, shivering in the cold evening air, and they could not stop thanking us for extinguishing the fire before it consumed the rest of the house and caused irreversible harm. They were glad, their gratitude overwhelming. Heard their sincere thanks, it reminded me of just how vital our work is. Serving my community is more than simply answering the call to battle fires. One of the guiding principles of my fire department is reaching out to the community and connecting with them. Having a local fire department, particularly a volunteer one, is vital for us. It provides a feeling of safety to our community. When we are put into situations where we have to rescue a person out of danger, it is important that they believe and trust us. Trusting us enables us to work effectively and protects us, so we can serve and protect without hindrance. Besides responding to emergencies, we are also active in small community service projects, such as going to trunk-or-treat events at local elementary schools. It's not only a fun night for the kids, but they learn how to escape safely during an emergency situation. Sometimes the little things that end up making the biggest difference in our community. The little things have the power to motivate students to be pillars of their community and be a good influence. What surprises most individuals about being part of a volunteer company is the fact that anyone can volunteer. It could be an individual who returns home from a 9-to-5 job, a retired person who wants to give back, or a student such as myself trying to make a difference. This is what a community is all about, individuals coming together, giving their time, energy, and dedication for the benefit of everyone around them. Whether or not you know who you are and where you're from, there is something you can always do to help, make an impact, and be for something greater than you.