The job description is one that wouldn’t likely attract a lot of attention. It goes something like: “Potentially long hours, dangerous work and no pay.”

But, the perks are pretty powerful too. These include keeping your community safe and maybe saving the lives of your friends and neighbors.

That is what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter in Lawrence County’s departments. These men and women often make significant personal sacrifices in order to better serve their individual communities and give something back.

More than 60 firefighters attended a training school last week to hone their skills and make sure they are armed with perhaps the most important tool upon arriving on a scene: knowledge.

Our county’s fire departments — volunteer and otherwise — do a tremendous job with very limited resources, financial and otherwise.

The most important of all the resources – manpower and womanpower — is one that can be addressed by getting involved in finding out what you can do to lend a hand.

Our volunteer departments are always looking for individuals willing to make a difference. Even if you are not comfortable running into a burning home or not physically able to battle blazes, there are still other ways you can help out.

We shouldn’t take these men and women for granted and we can all ask ourselves” what are we doing to make a difference?”