Over the past few weeks, as inclement weather added to everyday challenges, we’ve seen firsthand the dedication of our first responders, who often put themselves in harm’s way to assist area residents.
From responding to road emergencies to battling house fires, our first responders have been kept busy with hundreds of calls that demonstrated their resolve, professionalism and compassion.
For all these efforts, they deserve high praise and our deepest gratitude.
As challenging as these calls have been, two incidents on Sunday — in different locations and under vastly different circumstances — stand out as extraordinary examples of first responders’ heroism. These events remind us why we should be profoundly thankful for these brave men and women.
The first incident occurred Sunday morning, when approximately 100 individuals from 10 agencies worked together in the search and recovery of a vehicle from Cheat Lake. After locating the vehicle beneath eight inches of ice, responders made the somber discovery of a body inside, later identified as a missing man from Pennsylvania. While the outcome was heartbreaking, it provided the family with closure and the opportunity to begin healing.
This recovery was only possible because of the collaborative efforts of skilled first responders, who faced extreme risks to retrieve the vehicle and find the missing man.
The second incident unfolded later that afternoon in the Chestnut Hills community of Clarksburg, where firefighters, police and EMS personnel responded to a devastating house explosion. While battling the blaze and treating a victim, responders identified natural gas leaks in the area that could have caused more explosions.
Rsponders’ quick actions led to the evacuation of a five-block radius, affecting hundreds of residents. More than two dozen firefighters, along with numerous police officers from Clarksburg and the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, as well as EMS workers, went door-to-door to ensure everyone evacuated safely.
Many responders worked through the night, and several remained at the scene of the initial explosion to secure the area as the investigation continued.
For their tireless efforts during the past two weeks in dealing with the harshest winter challenges and for their heroic actions on Sunday, let us keep these first responders in our thoughts and prayers. They deserve our unwavering thanks for keeping us safe and aiding us in our times of greatest need.
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