You hear a lot in the news about the pandemic heroes: EMTs, doctors, nurses, law enforcement and other 1st responders. But there’s a group that you rarely hear about. That’s probably because they are working behind the scenes, not only during a disaster but throughout the year.

I’m speaking about emergency managers. From the local community or county emergency manager, to Director Kim Stenson at SC Emergency Management, these highlytrained individuals spend months preparing for the worst. From hurricanes to nuclear reactor incidents, pandemics to tornadoes, they plan and train all year on the best ways to protect us in South Carolina.

Our state is responding to its 3rd federal disaster declaration in less than 5 months.

These tireless professionals spend days with elected officials, agencies, non-profits, military, health care professionals and others to make sure our needs are met.

While many of us work from home, they are out in the community, assessing storm damage, making sure 1st responders have enough personal protection equipment to protect themselves and others, educating the public about covid-19 hazards and providing many other services.

As we face our 1st tropical storms of the season, we owe a debt of gratitude to them.

Take the time to get to know your local emergency manager. Ask them how you can help or just say “thank you!”

Because of these quiet leaders, our communities are ready, willing and able to meet the task of keeping you safe.

ML Resch, Columbia

Summers to remember

I truly enjoy Tom Poland’s columns.

My upbringing in a mill village in Bemis, TN, midway between Nashville and Memphis, was similar to Tom’s.

That was especially with summer visits with my share-cropping grandad, Boss Tharp. I only wish our children and grands could have had this positive benefit. Thank you sharing this through Tom’s columns.

Richard Jackson, Columbia