As the tornadoes that devastated Mississippi over the weekend proved, disaster strikes without warning.

And when it does, people from a variety of agencies react quickly, working together without complaint to assess the problem, help the victims and clean up the wreckage.

The Pickens community recently received a reminder of just how hard our emergency responders work.

Five agencies, the Pickens Fire Department, the Easley Fire Department, the Holly Springs Fire Department, Pickens County Roads and Bridges, and the S.C. Forestry Commission, came together to respond to a fire at the old Pickens Mill location. After tireless efforts, the fire was extinguished — after 21 hours on the scene.

Our worst, toughest, most frustrating day at work has never been 21 hours long. We can’t imagine dealing with a tough day at work with the added danger of fire thrown in.

Just saying thank you doesn’t seem like enough — but to all the firefighters and forestry agents who responded to the Pickens Mill blaze — thank you. Thank you for all that you do for your departments and your communities each and every day.

The Pickens Mill fire was another example of the way the agencies work together.

When they arrive at the scene of a fire or an accident, they’re not gunning for glory — they’re pitching in to get the job done.

We’re reminded of the recent words of Tim Cooper with the Pumpkintown Fire Department.

He said, while helping clean up a slave cemetery, that such projects are what his department is all about.

“We’re here for the community,” he said. “We are the community.”

Every day, our firefighters, EMS workers and police officers prove that they don’t just work in the communities of Pickens County, — they are vital parts of Pickens County.

So to all the men and women in our fire departments, emergency management services and police stations, thank you.

We hope that you all stay safe on the job. And we hope you know how much we appreciate what you do.