As we start to round the bend and the spaces on the 2009 December Calendar get X-ed out, things get busy in Los Banos. Last minute shoppers, in their harried efforts to find a gift that is just right, try to decide whether or not to make yet another run over-the-hill to the outlet stores or if they are going to support some of the local businesses. Other people plan extravagant meals where the entire family will be gathered around the table stuffing themselves on turkey and ham before adjourning to the living room for Christmas presents and maybe even a prayer or two.

However, there are few families in Los Banos who will have an empty chair in the living room or an empty spot at the Christmas table this year. On their fireplace mantle may rest the photo of a Los Banos Firefighter. We owe these committed members of our community - and their families - our gratitude. The sacrifice that the firefighters (including the cadre of FD volunteers) and their families make is tangible and is very much appreciated by many of Los Banos citizens.

According to LBFD's Tim Marrison, November and December are busy months for the Los Banos Fire Department. Kitchen fires happen more frequently and of course there is always the possibility of Christmas tree fires or electrical shorts in decorative lighting that can cause a structure fire. But, the so-called 'routine' calls are still there as well. Vehicle accidents, building alarms, car fires, and the frequent medical assistance calls, (which can be anything from a person needing help back into a wheelchair to a lifesaving call-out where a heart attack victim is given CPR - and a chance to have another Christmas), all continue to pour in daily.

This weekend was somewhat typical. While the rest of the world was out enjoying local Christmas events or shopping, the Los Banos Fire Department was doing what they always do - protecting the residents of Los Banos. There were no flashy high-end catastrophes. City Hall did not burn down. No airplanes crashed in Henry Miller Square. But, as always, there were residents in need. There were numerous 'medical assistance calls'. There was a small fire in the abandoned buildings at the corner of Mercey Springs and Seventh Streets. And there was an engine compartment fire in a pickup truck on Pacheco Blvd. In each case, men dressed in thick yellow 'bunker jackets' and protective helmets rolled out and responded to citizens who needed help.

The pickup truck fire is a good case in point. This Saturday the engine compartment of a white Toyota pickup truck caught fire in the shopping center parking lot between the McDonald's and the Theaters on Highway 152. As shoppers and theater goers looked on, the Los Banos Fire department arrived, quickly secured the scene, and then cleaned up the dry chemical used to extinguish the small blaze. As fire calls go it wasn't flashy and it wasn't overwhelmingly exciting, but it was handled rapidly and professionally.

If you know a firefighter, be they volunteers or full time, or if you know a family member of one of our firefighters, please consider taking moment to thank them for their sacrifices.

If everyone in Los Banos would just take 1 or 2 hours a month to do something to help their neighborhood or their community we could truly make Los Banos the gem of the valley.

The above is only my personal opinion and I strongly encourage readers to seek out more information from expert sources. Copyright 2009