It’s always great to see local law enforcement and fire departments engrossed in their community so much so that they feel like they have to give back.

On Sept. 10, Henleyfield Volunteer Fire Department is holding a community appreciation event to show their gratitude to the community.

These firefighters not only sacrifice their lives to help us during times of need, they volunteer their time away from their friends and families to do so.

If anything, we as a community should hold a community event to support the local fire and police departments. This type of humility shown by the Henleyfield Volunteer Fire Department demonstrates their close relationship with the residents of Pearl River County. We share a unique relationship with a common inevitability; we need each other.

The residents of Pearl River County need the fire departments for safety and, in most cases, in time of emergency. The volunteer fire departments need the help of the community to afford updated equipment in order to properly and safely provide that assistance.

During this community appreciation event, Henleyfield volunteer firefighters will use that time to build on their relationship with the community, meet new people and catch up with long-time residents. 

It is one of the few times that we get to interact with the firefighters without an emergency taking place. Also, there will be plenty of games for children while adults and children can view demonstrations of a couple of things these firefighters are trained to do. 

To the members of this volunteer agency, besides recognizing the support of the community, the goal of this event is to educate the community on how to avoid emergencies and how to deal with one if it arises.

Smoke detectors, demonstrations from the sheriff’s and fire departments and interactive yet educational games will provide an event we all could learn from.