Whether it is protecting our beautiful antebellum houses, teaching our children about fire safety or simply keeping residents from harm, our Miss-Lou firefighters have a tough, demanding job.

They all deserve our gratitude and respect.

But sometimes we forget that many aren’t even paid for what they do. The volunteer fire departments of Adams County and Concordia Parish work hard to protect rural areas, and they often go through the same kind of training that firefighters in Natchez and Vidalia, La., do.

These departments have support personnel, firefighters who are on the &uot;front lines&uot; and medical first responders. Volunteer firefighters come from all walks of life, but they all have other jobs, whether it is working as a paid firefighter in Natchez or Vidalia, or working as a truck driver or nurse or mechanic.

But these volunteers need help. Departments on both sides of the river are always looking for more volunteers to help with their important work.

If you are interested in volunteering in Concordia Parish, call Fire Chief Nolen Cothren at 336-4658. If you are interested in volunteering in Adams County, call coordinator George Souderes at 442-7021.

You will be glad you did &045;&045; and so will your neighbors.