By Frank J. Buchman
“Firemen are the most important servicemen.”
And, yet often some of the least appreciated, until called into action.
Then, everyone involved is so very thankful for firemen’s dedicated, knowledgeable, unyielding efforts, putting all else to the point of life and limb aside, to do what they obviously feel is their heartfelt duty.
Certainly, many attributes make up those who battle fire, but to put oneself in such danger has to be the biggest of all.
Daily, we hear about fire truck runs from our city job office, and often heavy losses reported. On an even more frequent occurrence in recent weeks have been rural fair truck runs assisting in controlling and still more repeatedly battling getaway Flint Hills pasture burns.
A week ago, 16 fire units from a handful of counties were unified in effort after a planned and initially controlled fire was taken by high complete opposite direction winds and singed thousands of acres instead of intended few, thankfully without other major losses.
This time, 14 fire units were there battling restarted pasture blazes on our ranch after the crew had left in the wee hours of the morning thinking all backfires, and other bordering dangers, had been doused.
Considerable unburned acreage in the pasture’s center remained to be scorched during daylight hours when detrimental winds again settled, as they had been when the first match was struck.
However, a giant dead cottonwood still smoldered, and a flame developed, devouring the trunk, felling the tree, reigniting dry grass fed by whirlwinds spreading wildfire.
Then, large brush piles became engulfed roaring flames into the heavens. Thankfully, the firefighters arrived from all directions to bring seemingly irrepressible blazing hazards under control.
Most amazing of the united effort was that not just community-township fire trucks came, but many neighbors, ranchers, farmers, volunteers from dozens of miles away brought their ranch-pickup firefighting rigs to provide help for others in need.
Small pay for such generosity and braveness, heartfelt appreciation goes out to each and every one as we are most indebted to all.
Reminds us of Exodus 22:6: “If fire spreads and the brush is burned up, whoever started the fire must pay for the damages.” Therefore, Romans 1:14: “I have an obligation, and a debt to pay.” Most importantly, Proverbs 14:21: “Blessed are those who help another.”
+++ALLELUIA+++