The Daily News would like you to consider thanking our first responders, whether they are of the police department, the sheriff’s office, the fire department, EMTs, or others. Police officers and deputies might even keep your children from harm at a Mardi Gras parade this weekend, and if somebody is hurt, other first responders might come to the rescue.

It’s true that it’s their job to go toward trouble when others back away. It’s true they get paid for doing what they do, but if you ever need a first responder, you will be happy that they’re there. And it actually could be a matter of your life or death.

They are professionally trained for their tasks, and you certainly do want a professional at your time of need. First responders have been called heroes, but theirs are heroic jobs. And it takes a special person to decide to serve others as a first responder of any kind. It takes a selfless person who is willing to run into a potentially dangerous situation.

The Daily News commends and thanks all of our local first responders.