The International Association of Firefighters has been a supporter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association for more than 49 years. Its latest fundraising events, called the Fill the Boot Campaign, includes the use of firefighters’ boots to collect monies at designated roadblocks in cities nationwide during the summer months.

This year, the Greenville Fire Department will add another element to its 6th annual MDA fundraising drive – it will hold a Fireman’s Expo that will showcase the many aspects of our local firefighting force.

Many times, it’s easy to overlook how complicated the fire department’s job is and how hard they work to assure our safety.

One of firefighters’ biggest pet peeves, perhaps, is the assumption many citizens make that when they aren’t putting out fires, they are lounging around the firehouse, eating and watching TV. Nothing could be further from the truth, as will be plainly evident during the demonstrations at the Expo. Their non-firefighting hours are spent working on equipment and training.

Our hats are off to these brave, hardworking people. We have a fire department to be proud of. Get out to City Hall and Confederate Park on August 2 and give the GFD and MDA your full support.

Boots are already in place at area restaurants and businesses to make it easy to donate. Make sure you do your part to help fight this catastrophic disease.