While many of us can ride out snowfalls, freezing rain and below-freezing temperatures in the comfort and safety of our homes and workplaces, there are some people whose jobs and duties take them out into the inclement weather and the dangers that inclement weather brings.

When the power goes out, we want it restored as soon as possible. That’s an easy wish to make from inside one’s home, office or job site. It’s no so easy to do when you’re among those who go out in the middle of the night to restore power when there’s ice on the roads, freezing temperatures and tree limbs falling on those icy roads. Working with electricity is dangerous enough in good weather. Working with electricity during bad weather greatly increases that danger.

And should our vehicles slide off the roads and into ditches or, God forbid, another vehicle, most of us will expect assistance from the Highway Patrol, a sheriff’s deputy, a police officer — or an EMT or paramedic if we are injured. The emergency responders will be there to provide the assistance we need, often putting themselves at peril as they perform their duties.

Before, during and after a winter storm, we expect crews to apply brine to roads to prevent accumulation of snow and ice, spread salt to melt snow and ice and remove the snow and ice, respectively, so we can travel safely. While most of us will have the sense to stay off the roads, these crews will be out making the roads safe for us for when we do leave our homes, offices and workplaces.

And should someone’s house catch on fire because he or she used a faulty space heater to stay warm, the responding firefighters will leave the comfort of their stations and homes to fight that fire to protect and preserve life and property.

So, while many of us “hunker down” during inclement weather and stay warm and safe, let’s not forget those who put their lives on the line so we can enjoy that warmth and safety.