Appreciating First Responders For Their Hard Work

OKOLONA, Miss. (WCBI)-Whenever an emergency situation happens, emergency responders are the first ones we call on, and they’re typically the first ones to arrive on scene.

They can have difficult tasks.

As a result, the city of Okolona held its first ever First Responders Appreciation Festival to show their appreciation for these brave individuals.

“We put our lives on the line everyday,” said George Kirby, patrolam for the Okolona Police Department.

Police officers, fireman,and other first responder crews never know what they’re going to face when they put on their uniforms and head out on duty.

“It’s a dangerous job,” said Kirby. “We never know what we’re going to run across, or who you’re going to stop, who just don’t care about anything, with all of the shootings going on and you sitting down with your family at a restaurant you don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Kirby has been with the Okolona Police Department for almost 20 years, and said often times first responders receive a bad rap, especially police officers.

“All cops are not bad cops you know, we’re not all bad, being a cop is a hard task it really is, you can’t satisfy everybody you just have to make sure you’re keeping everybody safe,” he said.

Kirby said there’s also a lot of positivity happening that deserves to be appreciated.

“I’m talking constantly to the fire chief and the police chief, all they’re saying is we want a thank you, we don’t mind doing our jobs and putting our lives in danger, but a thank you is great,” said John Standfield, owner of Fresh Start Business Center.

To help say thank you, the city of Okolona issued a member of each department a plaque for their hard work and commitment to the community.

“You gotta think about it from the community stand point, from the church, from the school standpoint, who do we call first when we need their help,” said Standfield. “We call the emergency team, the ambulance, the fire department, the police department, do A big thank you is a small gesture when it comes to such a great job.”

With all of the things first responders face on an everyday basis, knowing they’re appreciated is, a small gesture that goes a long way.

“Most people think you just sit around in the cars and stay cool, and you’re not paying any attention, but when you get people behind you that know you’re out here trying to do, that’s a blessing,” said Kirby.

Saturday marked the first day the city has hosted this event, and they plan to make it an annual one.