SMETHPORT — Recognizing the essential work emergency service personnel perform daily, the McKean County Commissioners adopted a proclamation Tuesday designating today as First Responders Day in the county.

According to the proclamation, first responders include 911 dispatchers, law enforcement officers, professional and volunteer firefighters, professional and volunteer emergency medical service personnel, emergency management professionals, search and rescue teams and members of other organizations in the public safety sector risk their own safety in the performance of their duties to protect our citizens.

First responders, the first and best defense against all emergencies that may threaten our communities, are highly trained, specialized workers who undergo extensive education and training and make significant personal sacrifices in order to achieve the expertise required to respond to emergency situations, as stated in the proclamation.

And, in addition to maintaining safety and order in times of crisis, many first responders also enhance their communities as volunteers for service organizations, churches and schools. Commissioners encourage all citizens to take time out of their day to show first responders how much we value their service to our county.