As more than 14,000 firefighters and support personnel battle wildfires throughout the United States this July, the vast majority of them here in the West, we remain grateful for their tireless, courageous, and sacrificial efforts on our behalf.

Recent attention has been understandably focused on the Aspen Acres blaze, which continues to burn across Pueblo, Custer, Fremont, and Huerfano counties. The devastation and destruction are quantified by any number of statistics, but you can’t measure personal heartache and heartbreak the same way as you can assess the physical losses.

Those of us on the west side of Colorado Springs and in Black Forest know all too well how it feels to flee the flames as the ash rains down. We know the pit in the stomach when you look back for possibly the last time at a house that’s full of memories.

Brave wildland firefighters are working overtime as you read this to extinguish current blazes and reduce the chances of that kind of grief coming our way. But while the Aspen Acres Fire remains an ongoing concern, we can’t move on too quickly from the casualties of the Knowles/Snyder Fire near the Colorado-Utah border. You’ll recall that three firefighters were killed there, all members of a specialized crew dropped into the remote terrain by helicopter.

The three members of the Helitack contingent were Emily Barker, age 38 and Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson, both of whom were 27.

Emily, who was from Michigan, began her career as a teacher before pursuing her dream of being a fire jumper. Nick, who was a Navy veteran and planned to become a physical therapist, was active in the Northern Arizona Deaf and American Sign Language community. Sydney, who was from Alabama, had wanted to be a firefighter for as long as she could remember.

These were three warriors who came to defend the lives and homes of people they didn’t know and would likely never meet. When you read, hear or see the nation’s naysayers lament the rising generation, tell them about Emily, Nick and Sydney.

There are many reasons why so many little boys (and some girls) grow up wanting to become firefighters. From the red trucks to the flashing lights and sirens, and all the gear and the actual battles to beat down the flames, there’s no shortage of adrenaline and excitement flowing when the alarm sounds.

But it’s not just a dopamine rush most are chasing when they sign up. Firefighters and first responders are among the best of us. They yearn to be heroes not out of egotism or narcissism, but because they want to give back. It feels good to make a difference.

Inspired by the television show, “Emergency!”, my brother and sister and I used to pretend our bedroom was part of Los Angeles’ Station 51 – the fictitious home of the crew on the show. I made a “flashing” light out of construction paper to tape above my bed, put my snow boots and snowsuit on the floor and waited for the distinctive siren. Our older brother recorded the theme and sound effects from the television program.

You may have seen that Randolph Mantooth, best known as “Johnny Gage” on “Emergency!”, passed away this past Thursday at age 80. He said he didn’t even know what a paramedic was when he was cast in the iconic role. He wasn’t alone. There were only 13 of them in the U.S. when the show debuted in 1972 – all in California.

Mantooth’s character not only helped educate Americans about the profession – it also inspired countless men and women to pursue a career in the field. Four years ago, Randolph was honored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. “I’m remembered for something that changed emergency medicine forever, that actually saved lives,” he told the Television Academy. “How lucky can any one person be?”

Real-life firefighting benefits from good fortune, but especially from reliable partners. It’s an old saying that fire doesn’t care who gets the credit. The crew only cares that everyone comes home.

There are over 400 firefighters and emergency medical technicians working at 23 stations in Colorado Springs who would agree with that sentiment. There are thousands more from other states here to help. They may not care about attention and accolades, but we should care a whole lot about them and continue praying for their safe return home.

Paul J. Batura is a local writer and founder of the 4:8 Media Network. He can be reached via email at Paul@PaulBatura.com or on X @PaulBatura.